Hunt views City as SuperSport's biggest rivals

While SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt admits CAF football has helped the team, he can now focus solely on the league as prepares to lock horns with Cape Town City at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, February 28.

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

CURRENT FORM:

Matsatsantsa failed to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals after a 1-1 draw with Modern Future at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday, which left them bottom of Group A with one match left to play.

Hunt's side faced the Citizens just one week ago in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 when they triumphed 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.

The two teams are effectively fighting for second place in the DStv Premiership as they are deadlocked on 30 points, nine behind Mamelodi Sundowns, who have two games in hand.

SuperSport trail City on goal difference in third spot after being held to a 1-1 draw by Stellenbosch in Pretoria on February 16, leaving them winless in their last two matches after they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Richards Bay in their final outing of 2023.

The Citizens also played out to a 1-1 draw with Chippa United at the Buffalo City Stadium on February 17 which extended their unbeaten run in the league to three games, having closed out the calendar year with a 2-0 win over local rivals Cape Town Spurs.

WHAT WAS SAID:

CAPE TOWN CITY HEAD COACH ERIC TINKLER

"SuperSport are always a team that is difficult, especially under coach Gavin Hunt. The brand of football they play is very direct. They play with a lot of aggression and a lot of intensity. Winning the second ball is extremely important.

"You have to deal with a lot of crosses that are coming into the box. And we made the players aware that we have to deal with that.

"We didn't do it in the first half in particular and the goal came from that. Disappointed because it is something we spoke about, we worked on and we knew and to concede like that."

SUPERSPORT UNITED HEAD COACH GAVIN HUNT

"I like the CAF experience... It helped us (SuperSport) for the first time and at [now defunct Bidvest] Wits. You bring in young players through and they get experience. You will be better in the league.

"We will be much better, and the league should be the focus for us. Last year, we came third [in the league] for the first time in how many years... We have a big game on Wednesday in Cape Town against Cape Town City, who are our biggest direct rivals in terms of points."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

CAPE TOWN CITY - Khanyisa Mayo is the dangerman for Eric Tinkler's side and he's in a rich vein of form after opening the scoring in the stalemate with the Chilli Boys last time out. The 25-year-old striker failed to score in his first five appearances, but has now bagged eight goals in his last 10 games to lead the way in the race for the Golden Boot.

SUPERSPORT UNITED - Shandre Campbell is a rising star and has impressed for the Pretoria giants since being promoted to the first team in the off-season. The 18-year-old winger has already featured 18 times in all competitions and broke the deadlock against City in the Nedbank Cup to add to his two goals in the league.