Matsatsantsa desperate to get back on the winning trail against Rise And Shine

SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt believes second place is still within reach as they look to snap a seven-match winless streak in the DStv Premiership with the visit of Polokwane City to the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Wednesday, April 17.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Current form:

Matsatsantsa have yet to win a league game in 2024 after recording five draws and two defeats since the mid-season break to leave them well off the pace in the race for CAF Champions League football.

A 1-0 defeat to improving TS Galaxy in Pretoria on April 6 halted a run of five successive draws and Hunt's side found themselves five points adrift of Stellenbosch, who currently occupy the runner-up spot.

The Tshwane giants only have the league to focus on for the remainder of the campaign after being dumped out of the Nedbank Cup by the Maroons following a 4-0 thrashing in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Rise And Shine have also struggled for results in the second half of the season, picking up just two wins from six outings this year.

Phuti Mohafe's side lost three on the spin before beating Chippa United 1-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on March 30, but a 3-2 reverse to Royal AM in Pietermaritzburg on April 7 ended a two-match unbeaten run.

The Limpopo outfit face a fight from six other clubs to finish in the top eight as they trail Kaizer Chiefs (8th) by two points in 11th position.

What was said:

SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt

"We will take it game by game and we have to dust ourselves, that's for sure. I think it's very attainable (second place). I think who we are playing and where we are playing, we still have a big chance and things can turn quickly.

"Everybody is playing for something and we have a quick turnaround, which is good or bad, I don't know. We are playing on Wednesday and we have to pick ourselves up.

"What we say and do between now and then, we can talk all day, it is not going to help. We need to get things right. We have an area where we need to get better."

Players to watch:

SuperSport United - Shandre Campbell has been the talk of the town following his breakout season for Matsatsantsa and he's caused problems for defences not only from open play but also from set-pieces. The 18-year-old winger recently registered his fourth assist of the campaign when his inswinging corner was headed home by Ime Okon in the 2-2 draw with Golden Arrows.

Polokwane City - Douglas Mapfumo finally ended a 14-game barren spell when he bagged a brace against Royal AM last time out to double his tally for the season to four goals. The 24-year-old striker isn't afraid to shoot from range and will fancy his chances against SuperSport, who have not kept a clean sheet in their last 16 games.

Head-to-Head: (Last Five DStv Premiership Meetings)

Matches - 5

SuperSport wins - 1

Polokwane wins - 1

Draws - 3