SuperSport out to consolidate spot with Usuthu win

SuperSport United will be looking to consolidate their position in the DStv Premiership when they meet AmaZulu FC at the TUT Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 5:30pm CAT.

FORM

Matsatsantsa extended their unbeaten run to three matches in the league when they drew 0-0 with Marumo Gallants on Tuesday and it was their second draw in their last three games.

The Tshwane giants find themselves on the second spot on the DStv Premiership standings - a point above third-placed Orlando Pirates who have a game in hand as the battle to finish as runners-up continues.

AmaZulu, on the other hand, stretched their winless run to four matches across all competitions when they drew 2-2 with Cape Town City on April 9 and they have recorded three defeats in a row.

Usuthu are currently placed 12th on the DStv Premiership standings - three points above the relegation zone and three points behind seventh-placed Sekhukhune United with five games left.

TEAM NEWS

SuperSport will be without their star attacking midfielder Grant Margeman who will be serving a one-match suspension and Luke Fleurs is currently out injured.

AmaZulu have no suspension worries and the club is yet to report any injuries with Keagan Buchanan having been recalled to the club after being released last month.

WHAT WAS SAID?

SuperSport head coach Gavin Hunt

“We were well ahead three games ago. Obviously, we made it hard for ourselves... we had a game against Chippa United like this [referring to the draw at Marumo]," Hunt said.

"The same thing, we should win 4 or 5 nil and we draw 1-1 and you draw again. So jah, it is what it is. It wasn't our best performance but we should have won the game comfortably.

"We had some great moments, some great opportunities. It happens but you don't expect it... it is one of those things.”

AmaZulu interim head coach Ayanda Dlamini

"This point feels like a win because we came back from 2-0 down. The fighting spirit that they showed will take us far and it is a very important point," Dlamini said.

"To come down to Cape Town and get this point from 2-0 down, the morale and spirit of the players will be lifted because going into the next one, you can see that they want to fight.

"We have very difficult games coming up, SuperSport [United] is next. So, we will take positives from this one and go back and fix what we feel should have been done better."

SuperSport United: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Siphesihle Ndlovu: The hard-working player has been one of the standout midfielders in the league this term and he will be keen to dominate the midfield battle against AmaZulu in order to put SuperSport in a good position to win the game.

Thapelo Maseko: The current season has seen the teenager establish himself as one of the most dangerous wingers in the country having scored three goals including one in SuperSport's 2-1 defeat to AmaZulu in the first round clash last August.

AmaZulu: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Frank Mhango: The experienced forward came off the bench and grabbed an assist in AmaZulu's draw against SuperSport. Mhango, who also netted in the first round clash against SuperSport, could a pose a threat SuperSport's defence.

Bonginkosi Ntuli: The bulky marksman is slowly hitting his old form having netted three goals in his last seven league matches including one against SuperSport and he might be the man to inspire his side to a win over SuperSport.

Head-to-Head

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2017/18 SuperSport 0-1 AmaZulu Karuru

2018/19 SuperSport 1-0 AmaZulu Rusike

2018/19 AmaZulu 2-0 SuperSport Ntuli, Ntsundwana

2019/20 SuperSport 1-0 AmaZulu Modiba (pen)

2019/20 AmaZulu 0-2 SuperSport Rusike, Grobler

2020/21 SuperSport 1-1 AmaZulu Grobler (pen); Mthembu

2020/21 AmaZulu 1-0 SuperSport Mthembu

2021/22 AmaZulu 0-0 SuperSport

2021/22 SuperSport 2-0 AmaZulu Donn, Rayners