Spurs up for next test against SuperSport United

Although it’s still looking likely that Cape Town Spurs won’t survive the automatic drop, they still have a chance to finish the season off strong when they take on SuperSport United in the DStv Premiership at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday evening.

Kick-off is at 7:30 pm (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

SuperSport United have had some issues of inconsistency, especially in the second half of the season by going on a lengthy winless streak. Matsatsantsa are sixth in the league standings, level on points with TS Galaxy who have a game in hand.

Out of their last three league fixtures, they have won once against Royal AM. They drew their last league game 1-1 against Sekhukhune United and were beaten by Kaizer Chiefs towards the end of April.

As for last placed Cape Town Spurs, the team is coming off the back of a 1-0 win against Thwlili Thwala in their last match. The Urban Warriors lost to Polokwane City at the end of April, however were successful in beating 15th placed Richards Bay 1-0.

It seems highly expected that they’ll be relegated from the DStv Premiership, but it has not been confirmed yet and they still have a fighting chance if they win all their remaining games and Richards Bay loses theirs.

WHAT WAS SAID

Ahead of this match, Cape Town Spurs coach Ernst Middendorp has expressed that he just wants the players to enjoy the rest of the season and not worry too much about the outcome anymore.

“Feel free, have fun, enjoy it and show the energy we have seen today [against Royal AM] – and just be prepared to optimise the individual skills that they have, while contributing to the collective cause – that’s the most important stuff,” he said.

SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt is confident that his side will be able to finish in the top four, despite results not really going their way in recent weeks with his young players.

“Overachieving with some of these kids but lack of experience is costing us. We are learning and we will get better,” he reflected.

“The ambition is to try to finish as high as we can, we will still be in the top four, it can still happen. A win could have been a big step forward but we are learning on the job.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

SuperSport United, Bradley Grobler - The veteran striker remains a key part of the SuperSport line-up with 10 goals scored in the DStv Premiership. If on target, he will be a massive threat to the Spurs defence.

Cape Town Spurs, Gadiel Michael Kamagi - The left-back is effective when it comes to showing up in big matches from both a defensive and attacking perspective. He scored the winning goal in the Urban Warriors’ last fixture and will be useful in this one too should he start.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS (Cape Town Spurs formerly known as Ajax Cape Town)

Season Result Scorers

2013/14 Ajax 2-0 SuperSport Morris, Rodgers

2014/15 Ajax 0-0 SuperSport

2014/15 SuperSport 1-2 Ajax Phala; Losper, E. Isaacs

2015/16 Ajax 0-1 SuperSport Phala

2015/16 SuperSport 1-3 Ajax Nkhatha; Morris, Losper, Nxumalo

2016/17 Ajax 0-2 SuperSport Brockie (pen), Letsholonyane

2016/17 SuperSport 0-0 Ajax

2017/18 SuperSport 1-0 Ajax Modiba

2017/18 Ajax 0-3 SuperSport *Awarded

2023/24 Spurs 1-2 SuperSport Moosa; Grobler 2