With only one of their fellow Absa Premiership title contenders collecting maximum points at the weekend, SuperSport United can make a bold statement early on when they host Orlando Pirates, another challenger, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium tonight (7.30).
Doubts as to whether the Tshwane side can go all the way in the title race crept in last week when they were booted out of the MTN8 quarterfinals by Bidvest Wits. Gordon Igesund, the SuperSport coach, is adamant that the calamitous effort from his men is now behind them.
And with Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs failing to win their first matches at the weekend, it is even more crucial for Matsatsantsa to avoid dropping points.
Of the title challengers, Wits managed a 2-1 win over Ajax Cape Town, while Chiefs and Sundowns could only draw away to Chippa United and Platinum Stars respectively. SuperSport now want to make the most it against fellow contenders Pirates - who will unleash new recruits Tendai Ndoro and Edwin Gyimah tonight.
"I've said this before, it is going to be very important to be a team that can compete," said Igesund.
"We've got one game behind us and I thought after 90 minutes the 1-1 scoreline [in the cup match against Wits] was a true reflection of the game. The league season starts against Pirates and I think we will be a lot better than we were against Wits."
SuperSport have three new players likely to start against the Buccaneers tonight in Australian winger Isaka Cernak, New Zealand defender Michael Boxall and former Bafana Bafana captain Bongani Khumalo, who has returned to the club after four years abroad.
"I think Sundowns are the overwhelming favourites [for the championship]. But you can't discount Chiefs, Pirates, SuperSport, Wits and even Ajax to a certain extent," Igesund said
Meanwhile, Pirates confirmed yesterday that Gyimah and Ndoro are eligible for tonight's match.
The two had been awaiting work permits.
"We are happy to finalise their registration. Both players are vital to our aspirations in what will be a long season ahead," Floyd Mbele, the Bucs administrator, said.
United plan to make strong point
With only one of their fellow Absa Premiership title contenders collecting maximum points at the weekend, SuperSport United can make a bold statement early on when they host Orlando Pirates, another challenger, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium tonight (7.30).
Doubts as to whether the Tshwane side can go all the way in the title race crept in last week when they were booted out of the MTN8 quarterfinals by Bidvest Wits. Gordon Igesund, the SuperSport coach, is adamant that the calamitous effort from his men is now behind them.
And with Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs failing to win their first matches at the weekend, it is even more crucial for Matsatsantsa to avoid dropping points.
Of the title challengers, Wits managed a 2-1 win over Ajax Cape Town, while Chiefs and Sundowns could only draw away to Chippa United and Platinum Stars respectively. SuperSport now want to make the most it against fellow contenders Pirates - who will unleash new recruits Tendai Ndoro and Edwin Gyimah tonight.
"I've said this before, it is going to be very important to be a team that can compete," said Igesund.
"We've got one game behind us and I thought after 90 minutes the 1-1 scoreline [in the cup match against Wits] was a true reflection of the game. The league season starts against Pirates and I think we will be a lot better than we were against Wits."
SuperSport have three new players likely to start against the Buccaneers tonight in Australian winger Isaka Cernak, New Zealand defender Michael Boxall and former Bafana Bafana captain Bongani Khumalo, who has returned to the club after four years abroad.
"I think Sundowns are the overwhelming favourites [for the championship]. But you can't discount Chiefs, Pirates, SuperSport, Wits and even Ajax to a certain extent," Igesund said
Meanwhile, Pirates confirmed yesterday that Gyimah and Ndoro are eligible for tonight's match.
The two had been awaiting work permits.
"We are happy to finalise their registration. Both players are vital to our aspirations in what will be a long season ahead," Floyd Mbele, the Bucs administrator, said.
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