SuperSport return to league action

Supersport United FC players celebrate after scoring against Club Africain during the semi-final return 2017 CAF Confederations Cup game between Club Africain and Supersport United FC in Tunis, Tunisia on 22 October 2017 © BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Oct 30, 2017. 09:14

SuperSport United will return to Absa Premiership action when they host Golden Arrows at Mbombela Stadium on 31 October 2017, kick-off at 19h30.

SuperSport were last in league action on September 19 when they were held 1-1 at home by Chippa United. The Tshwane side allowed a lead to slip against the Chilli Boys in a match which arrived in between the two legs of their CAF Confederation Cup tie against Zesco United.

United have since advanced into the final of the continental competition after defeating Tunisia’s Club Africain 4-2 on aggregate in the semifinals. SuperSport will be playing their fourth home league match this season, having recorded one win, one draw and one defeat from their three turns as hosts thus far.

Arrows remain unbeaten in the league this season, as a last-gasp goal from Thomas Chideu earned them a 2-2 draw at home to Polokwane City on October 21. The Durban side has now played to four successive draws and six overall this season.

Abafana Bes’thende have performed strongly away from home this term, picking up nine points from their five matches on the road. Coach Clinton Larsen, though, will want to see his side get back to winning form and continue their stay in the upper reaches of the table.

In head-to-head stats, SuperSport and Arrows have met in 32 league matches since 2000/01. Matsatsantsa have claimed 17 wins compared to nine for Abafana Bes’thende, while six matches have been drawn. The Tshwane side has recorded nine wins and suffered four defeats from 16 home matches in the rivalry.

Last season United took four points off of Arrows by playing to a 1-1 draw in Durban in the first half of the campaign before claiming a 5-2 victory in the return game. The teams’ 32 league meetings have produced 89 league goals down the years.

SuperSport’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Chippa on September 19: Williams; Nhlapo, Gould, Mashamaite, Boateng, Mnyamane, Mbule, Furman, Myeni (Phala 51'), Brockie (Grobler 72'), Nkhatha (Letsholonyane 65').

Arrows’ line-up from their 2-2 draw with Polokwane on October 21: Gumede, Dube, Nkombelo, Mngwengwe, Mzava, Magubane (Jappie 60'), Bilankulu, Shongwe (N.Cele 60'), Mahachi, Mutizwa, Lamola (Chideu 77').