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PSL Preview: SuperSport United - Kaizer Chiefs

SuperSport United will lock horns with Kaizer Chiefs in what should be an enthralling encounter...

Nov 24, 2009 2:00:28 PM

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Siphiwe Tshabalala - Kaizer Chiefs

Teams

Kaizer Chiefs

SuperSport United vs Kaizer Chiefs, 19:00 (local time), Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria.

Basking at the top of the league table with 33 points after their brilliant display over the weekend, SuperSport United have an acid test as they take on Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night.

Battle lines are drawn as both teams won their last matches with Chiefs beating Santos 1-0 and SuperSport giving Maritzburg United a 3-2 thumping. Ironically this will be the nomadic Amakhosi’s home game in Matsantsantsa’s territory.

Gavin Hunt, who was recently won the coach of the month award for October will be looking to Daine Klate, Anthony Laffor and Glen Salmon to bang in the goals. His counterpart Vladmir Verzomovic will be hoping to see the on song Nkosinathi Nhleko and Knowledge 'Silent Assasin' Musona leading from the front for Amakhosi.

The last time these two giants met it ended 1-0 in favour of the defending champions and Chiefs were left cursing the day they ever let Siyabonga Nkosi leave their side. It was Nkosi who rose above the Amakhosi rearguard to head home the winning goal from a Daine Klate cross.

Dario Monterio, who scored the goal that sent Mozambique to the finals of the 2010 AFCON in Angola could well be Hunt’s trump card from the bench.

Live wire Knowledge Musona could well be the deciding factor for the Soweto based outfit. His touches, pace and skill which won him the hearts of the Amakhosi faithful is yet to convince Verzomovic to give him regular starts.

The bookies make SuperSport slight favourites in what looks to be a decent betting heat. The last time these two teams met in a PSL game at Loftus the pitch was water logged and Diane Klate ran riot on the Amakhosi rearguard, leading his team to a massive 3-0 victory.

Current Form

Chiefs moved up to sixth position on the log with a controversial win over Santos at the weekend. They go into this encounter eight points behind league leaders SuperSport, but they are in decent form having won three and drawn two of their last five games. Statistically Chiefs have the edge over their opponents, and as far as the defence is concerned they have kept seven clean sheets to SuperSport's four in the PSL this season.

SuperSport have just completed three successive home games against sides in the lower half of the table and they took seven points from a possible nine. If they beat Chiefs their unbeaten run will stretch to thirteen matches. Their Achilles heel seems to be their defence which failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five games. The twenty goals they have scored in their last six matches make them the most potent goal scoring side in the league.

TEAM NEWS

SuperSport United

The Pretoria based outfit is making plans to bolster their central defence by signing the towering Bafana Bafana and Golden Arrows stalwart Siyabonga Sangweni. If they succeed in doing so then it will be safe to say they have wrapped up their title defence as this department has been suspect lately. Left-back Tsietse Mahoa who was turned inside out by Rudolf Bester in their last game against Martzburg United is suspended.

Supersport United: Baron, September, Kannermeyer, Gould, Khumalo, Kekana, Maluleka, Ntshumayelo, Klate, Laffor, Salmon.

Kaizer Chiefs

Rumours are floating around suggesting that Tenashe Nenogoma could be leaving Naturena for Turkey to join forces with former coach Mushin Erturgal at Sivasspor. This could well be the skipper’s last game in the gold and black jersey. Chiefs’ plans of finding the replacement for their midfield hardman hit a snag when they were beaten by Golden Arrows for the signature of former Amazulu anchorman Bafo Biyela.

Kaizer Chiefs: Bartman, Tau, Jambo, Sweswe, Rooi, Nengomasha, Letsholonyane, Dladla, Tshabalala, Nhleko, Musona.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

SuperSport United

Daine Klate was recently named the ABSA Player of The Month for October, and the speedy winger has been a marvel to watch. He has a point to prove to national team selectors and he will hope to do well and get on the scoresheet in this game.

Kaizer Chiefs

Simphiwe Tshabalala seems to have bought the right boots for set pieces, and he is doing well at the moment, scoring goals and setting up for others as well. He is oozing with confidence and will be out to prove that his selection in the Bafana squad at the expense of Klate is not a fluke.

PREDICTION

What a great game in prospect, with SuperSport in rich goal scoring form and Chiefs looking in better shape than at any other stage of the season. The game will be a highly tactical one but I fancy this will be a high scoring draw as both teams play open football.

Chiefs 2-2 SuperSport

Clyde Tlou, Goal.com

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