SuperSport chairman pays tribute to Eric Tinkler and players

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Oct 25, 2017. 15:00

SuperSport United chairman Khulu Sibiya has lavished praise on coach Eric Tinkler and his players after reaching the CAF Confederation Cup final.

Matsatsantsa booked a place in a continental final for the first time in their club history after overcoming Tunisia’s Club Africain 4-2 on aggregate.

The South African side will face up to DR Congo giants - and defending Confed Cup champions - TP Mazembe over two legs next month.

At a press conference held at OR Tambo International airport following the team’s arrival back in South Africa, Sibiya expressed his pride at their achievement.

"This to me is the single biggest moment, not only for the club but for the country as well, it's just overwhelming," said Sibiya.

"It is a milestone. It is something we will cherish for a long, long time. Stan [club CEO Matthews], you and I have been going down and up, down and up with this club... This is it!

"We have done an amazing job, and I want to congratulate Eric. Eric, you have come to this club and you have made things happen.

"It is very unusual for any new coach to come into a new club and just make things happen. You're an amazing, amazing man."

The United chairman also requested all of South Africa to support his team in their bid to win the continental title, much as they did for Mamelodi Sundowns in their CAF Champions League campaign last year.

"Please go spread the word that this victory and the upcoming final is not for SuperSport, but for the country," he added.

"Tell everybody out there that we are bringing this trophy home, and we need your support. We must make that stadium blue.

"It must be a crowd that we've never seen supporting SuperSport before, so please spread the word and tell everyone that we mean business."