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United to test Super-strikers

It's probably one of the most talked about strike forces in the country, boasting Jeremy Brockie, Kingston Nkhatha, Dove Wome, Phumelele Bhengu and even Bradley Grobler in one team.

And yet these SuperSport United marksmen, aided by captain Thuso Phala and creative midfielder David Mathebula, did not set the scene alight in any of their pre-season matches.

Tonight, against Bidvest Wits' fairly compact defence, they get to prove their worth in an MTN8 quarterfinal clash at Milpark Stadium (7.30 kickoff).

They all won't start but whoever gets the nod is immediately under pressure to deliver on the high expectations.

Wits coach Gavin Hunt, who had a stint with United in the past, said last week that he envied his counterpart Gordon Igesund and wished he possessed that kind of artillery during his time there.

The proof will be in the number of chances converted, but this lethal strike combination has the backing of new skipper Phala.

"With that kind of quality, I think we have to be solid because we won't have problems creating chances and scoring goals," the Bafana Bafana winger said.

"We just have to balance the two and I don't see us having a problem. And we have had Wits on our mind for some time now because we knew at the end of last season we would be facing them in the Top 8 and the coach has been reminding us."

Hunt said the obvious key battles on the night would be between the Wits defence and United attack. Defender Buhle Mkhwanazi is confident Brockie and company can be contained.

"We've not really given them special attention in our preparation," he said. "As a defence you play as a unit and if we work well together on the night, then we will stop them from scoring goals.

"We also have our own match winners in Daine Klate and Elias Pelembe. I am hopeful that they will get us through a lot this season."