South Africa’s CAF Confederation Cup representatives SuperSport United have suffered a huge setback ahead of their second-leg tie against Gaborone United on Friday.
Matsatsantsa will host the Botswana side in the second preliminary round at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday afternoon. The two sides played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg two weeks ago.
But with just a day remaining, United coach Gavin Hunt has now revealed that they are missing eight of their players due to injuries.
GAVIN HUNT REVLEAS SETBACK AHEAD OF FRIDAY CONFEDERATION CUP TIE
“We have a lot [players out], we have seven or eight out,” he told journalists on Thursday.
“It’s going to take its toll, Obviously it’s taking its toll you know already,” he explained.
“We have Tyson [Hlatshwayo], who got a concussion on Tuesday [against Chippa United]. Siyanda Xulu pulled a hamstring, Thalente [Mbatha] is still out with a knee, [Siphesihle] Ndlovu is still out, and Neo [Rapoo] the young left-back is still out. One or two others as well, but those are the main ones.
“We have a very small squad, the smallest in the league. So we got to box clever. Obviously, we are short of a few defenders which is a worrying factor. So we might have to change the way we play but we don’t even have training time. When we played in Polokwane, I said we didn’t have training time.”
SUPERSPORT UNITED AIMING FOR GROUP STAGE SPOT
United come into the match after a surprise 1-0 loss to Chippa United in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday. Hunt has emphasised the importance of going through the group stages. A win or a goalless draw will secure them a place in the group stages.
“Obviously, we are going to try and go through. That’s the most important thing to try and get into the group [stages]. It won’t be easy, they are a tough side.
“We obviously played on Tuesday so they have not played since the last time we played, which I think it’s about two weeks ago. So yeah they will be nice and fresh, we Obviously got a few problems there but we will put out a team tomorrow and give it the best we can.”
The match on Friday kicks off at 19:00.
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