Can SuperSport United make it count against Golden Arrows to avoid PSL playoffs?
Christian Saile Christian Saile (centre) scored for SuperSport United against Golden Arrows a few months ago. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
A MATCH that was supposed to have been a celebratory event for a seasoned coach will now be played with much greater significance.
Back in February when SuperSport United hosted Golden Arrows at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, the game was all about Gavin Hunt being in charge of his 1,000th professional match.
The multiple championship-winning coach was given a guard of honour by both clubs as he walked onto the pitch, and the small crowd were on their feet applauding.
But load-shedding spoiled it all, the match being stalled midway through the first half as the lights went off.
Then that stanza was completed with the score at 1-1, following goals by Christian Saile and Willemson Ndwandwe, before the darkness and lack of a generator led to its abandonment.
Three months later, the two teams will complete the match, with just the second half to be played at noon today at the same venue.
It could well be different clubs playing this match – Hunt having long been fired from SuperSport, and his then-counterpart Musa Bilankulu demoted to the assistant role at an Arrows outfit now coached by Manqoba Mngqithi.
Back then, both sides were mid-table outfits nursing hopes of a top-eight finish.
But now they are bottom dwellers, with the KwaZulu-Natal side having a very slim chance of usurping Richards Bay in eighth place.
SuperSport, on the other hand, need to get something out of this match like the desert needs the rain, desperately.
Matsatsantsa a Pitori are in 15th place, and will go into the promotion-relegation playoffs with the two sides from the Motsepe Foundation Championship if they do not get at least a point.
On the face of it, all they need do is keep Arrows from finding their net, and the former three-time league champions would have their status secured.
But it will not be that easy, not with their recent wretched form that has seen them and victories resembling the parallel lines of the railway – destined never to meet.
After every match they've played and lost, interim SuperSport coach Andre Arendse spoke confidently that they would do better in the next one.
That has not happened, hence the situation they find themselves in.
Last weekend, after they lost 2-0 to Richards Bay, the previously confident former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper cut a sorry and dejected figure as he tried to remain hopeful.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs close in on R5m defender: One obstacle remains
Kaizer Chiefs look set to pull off a major coup in the local transfer market by edging closer to securing the signature of 21-year-old Ime Okon. However, SuperSport United's hefty development compensation fee of over R5 million threatens to derail the deal. Despite Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns also expressing interest in the promising defender, Chiefs have emerged as the clear frontrunners. SuperSport United may have allowed Okon's contract to expire on 30 June, but the club retains the right to claim development compensation, a clause that has now become a stumbling block for Amakhosi. 'At the moment it's believed that personal terms have been agreed but there is a fee that Chiefs apparently have to pay to SuperSport United. It's like a compensation fee and it's believed to be around R5 million. A fee because he is a development player and the mother team has to benefit from him. It's not a transfer fee. No, it's not,' a source revealed. This demand comes as no surprise considering Okon rose through SuperSport's development system, making him eligible for compensation under current regulations. Chiefs remain determined to complete the signing before they fly out for their pre-season training camp in the Netherlands. The club wants Okon integrated into the squad as soon as possible, highlighting how highly they rate the defender. By bringing Okon on board, Chiefs would not only beat both Pirates and Sundowns to his signature but also fill a key gap in their backline. An area identified by the technical team as needing reinforcement. With multiple clubs circling and the Dutch tour fast approaching, Amakhosi must act swiftly to finalise terms and satisfy SuperSport's demands. If the Glamour Boys manage to seal the deal, they will have pulled off one of the most strategic signings of the window, a powerful signal of intent as they rebuild their squad for the new season. Will Okon make a difference at Kaizer Chiefs? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
7 hours ago
- The South African
Cape Town Spurs plot return by buying Pretoria Callies' status
Cape Town Spurs have dramatically dropped their High Court challenge against Durban City FC, ending a tense legal fight over promotion and relegation in South African football. However, the Urban Warriors refused to accept their relegation fate and are now attempting to secure a return to the Motsepe Foundation Championship by purchasing Pretoria Callies' status. ADVERTISEMENT Durban City secure promotion Spurs had taken legal action after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Durban City in their final Motsepe Foundation Championship fixture. They played the match under protest, claiming that Durban City's midfielder, Saziso Magawana, was improperly registered. Despite Spurs' objections, Durban City clinched automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership. The PSL delayed the trophy handover due to the ongoing legal dispute, but once the High Court ruled in favour of Durban City, they officially received the NFD trophy at the SuperSport TV studios over a week ago. PSL and SAFA rule against Spurs Before turning to the High Court, Spurs had already lost their case before the PSL's Dispute Resolution Chamber, led by Raymond Hack. The chamber dismissed their appeal and ordered the Cape club to pay legal costs. Still unsatisfied, Spurs escalated the issue to SAFA arbitration. However, multiple arbitrators stepped aside from the case, and senior counsel Hilton Epstein SC eventually ruled in favour of Durban City and Saziso Magawana. ADVERTISEMENT Spurs hoped the outcome would see Durban City docked points, a decision that would have secured Spurs' place in the Championship. But those hopes were crushed. Spurs eye Callies in desperate bid to stay up Following their failed legal efforts, Cape Town Spurs have now withdrawn their High Court case. But rather than accept a place in the ABC Motsepe League, the third tier of South African football. They are seeking an alternative route back into the NFD. 'They [Cape Town Spurs] are trying to buy the status of Callies. And you saw the post yesterday about a countdown on their page. Ya, they are definitely trying to get back into the NFD (Motsepe Foundation Championship),' a source revealed. Pretoria Callies, who finished 11th and six points above Spurs, could now become the key to Spurs' future in the first division. Will Cape Town Spurs buy Pretoria Callies? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
13 hours ago
- The South African
New Kaizer Chiefs striker
Betway Premiership powerhouse Kaizer Chiefs won't announce their new signings before 30 June. However, Amakhosi's updated squad, which includes new names, has leaked. The list features Mamelodi Sundowns striker Etiosa Ighodora, who was on loan at AmaZulu FC last season. Other new names like Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane, both from Orlando Pirates, have generated high attention. Now let's talk about the new striker Ighodaro… Kaizer Chiefs news: Edson Castillo and Fiacre Ntwari Etiosa Ighodaro at AmaZulu during the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season. Image: @amazulufc/X The 24-year-old has been playing football in Mzansi for four years. Born in Benin State, Nigeria, Ighodaro was signed by Sundowns from Abuja College in 2021. Kaizer Chiefs news: Medical tests and Kabelo Nkgwesa What followed was a surprising series of loan spells around the country. Ighodora played in the Motsepe Foundation Championship for the University of Pretoria, before top-flight action at Chippa United, SuperSport United and AmaZulu last term. As a striker, Kaizer Chiefs fans are interested in his scoring numbers. According to the available data, Ighodaro, who joins Kaizer Chiefs on a free deal when his Sundowns contract ends on 30 June, has scored goals for every Betway Premiership club he has played for across 88 matches. Chippa United: 11 goals in 27 matches SuperSport United: Eight goals in 34 matches AmaZulu FC: Six goals in 27 matches. Additionally, the incoming Kaizer Chiefs striker made two assists at SuperSport and Chippa, respectively. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
