Meshack Motloung

Meshack Motloung

Santos stalwart defender Musa Otieno is back from trials in the US and will be in the team that will host Bay United in the Absa Premiership game.

Otieno, who spent six weeks in the US with team that played in the lower division, is ready for the fight at Athlone tomorrow (8pm).

Santos spokesman Rodney Reiners said they were meeting a closed book in United and believed that it was going to be difficult against the rookies.

But he added that they would field debutante Zairon van Beulen. The youngster has impressed at training and coach David Bright has been working on him to take up the defensive midfielder role.

"Van Beulen is still young, but he has proved to be a very good player," said Reiners.

Santos have a good side that consists of youngsters such as Bongi Macala, who made his debut against Wits in their opening game.

Others are Erwin Isaacs, Eleazar Rodgers, Mogogi Gabonamong and Ryan Chapman.

United's spokesman Vuyo Mvoko said they were ready and would go for a win.

"We're not going to be statistics. We're going to make life difficult for most teams in the elite league.

"We have mixed youth with experience and are happy that we are underdogs. But they must tread with caution because we're going to shock them."

Players to do the job for Santos are Cyril Nzama and Patrick Mayo in defence as well as Jimmy Zakazaka, Linos Chalwe and Sherwin Smith upfront.