Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

SuperSport United's determination to hold on to top spot in the Absa Premiership will be put to test when they take on Orlando Pirates at Johannesburg Stadium tomorrow at 8pm.

This is expected to be a fierce battle considering that United got a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of AmaZulu last Sunday, their first loss since the start of the second round.

The defeat was as a wake-up call as some of United's players were beginning to think the Premiership title was already in the bag.

What makes this encounter even more interesting is that Matsatsantsa a Pitori embarrassed Amabhakabhaka 3-1 in the first round in December.

A defeat for United will be a major setback for their aspirations of becoming the first recipients of the R10 million league first prize.

For Pirates, some of their players and officials still harbour dreams of winning the league despite blowing hot and cold.

But Bucs need to remember that matches are won by scoring consistently, as they did at one stage this season.

The side coached by Owen Da Gama could find themselves in big trouble as they come up against a club whose players have an appetite for goals.

Boosted by the return of Lucas Thwala from suspension, Pirates will have to keep an eagle eye throughout to avoid being shown the stars in their own back yard.

Also back is Teko Modise, who has made it a habit of turning the heat on the opposition, especially when awarded free kicks outside the 18-yard area. The rare absence of Modise against Ezenkosi was a bitter pill for Da Gama to swallow.