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| SuperSport battle TP Mazembe in the 2nd leg of the CAF Confederations Cup Final on Saturday. |
CAF Confederations Cup Final: 2nd Leg | Saturday 25 November | Lucas Moripe Stadium | 20:15
The first leg clash ended in a 2-1 victory for TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo and SuperSport United know very well that a 1-0 victory at home would be enough to see them edge their opponents on away goals rule. Matsatsantsa went into this game with the tournament’s leading goalscorer, Jeremy Brockie having travelled 12 hours over seven time zones to make it to the game after representing his native New Zealand in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Peru. This is what I think we’re likely to see in the upcoming decider…
To Win (90 mins)
SuperSport 31/20
Draw 21/10
TP Mazembe 39/20
*Forecast Betting
SuperSport United
Matsatsantsa have earned themselves the “cup specialists” tag after reaching four consecutive cup finals – that’s all three domestic cup finals and the current Confederations Cup decider that we are all looking forward to. They head into this match trailing 2-1 on aggregate but after registering that all-important away goal, they know that a 1-0 victory is more than enough to see them lifting the trophy.
The tournament’s leading goalscorer, Jeremy Brockie is well rested heading into the home fixture after the hectic travelling schedule from Peru to DRC for the first leg which went through Brazil and South Africa. The Pretoria-based outfit played well in the first leg but two individual mistakes by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams – who did well overall – cost the team.
Coach Eric Tinkler is now playing his third continental final after losing the Champions League final as an Orlando Pirates assistant coach in 2013 and losing this very trophy as the Buccaneers head coach in 2015. Ever since, he has won two domestic trophies with two different clubs, namely Cape Town City and SuperSport United.
TP Mazembe
The Ravens are the defending champions of the trophy and they head into the away leg with a 2-1 advantage. If they score first it would mean that SuperSport need to find the back of the net twice to take the match to penalties. The attacking duo of Malian striker Adama Traore and creative Zambian midfielder Rainford Kalaba looked menacing in the first leg.
Known for their hostile treatment of opponents in their backyard, Mazembe must be less happy that they won’t have that Lubumbashi advantage in the deciding second leg. They last lost a football match on the 7th of May this year, going 1-0 down to Super League rivals AS Vita Club. Ever since they have gone unbeaten in 19 games with 15 wins and four draws in all competitions.
These two finalists were also in the same group earlier in the current campaign and they drew both legs. The match in DCR ended in a 2-2 stalemate and the South African leg ended scoreless.
Probable line-ups:
SuperSport: 4-4-2
Pieterse; Nhlapo, Daniels, Gould, Modiba; Mbule, Furman, Wome, Phala; Brockie, Grobler.
TP Mazembe: 4-3-2-1
Matampi; Mpeko, Kimwaki, Chongo, Kasusula; Sinkala, Nii Adjei, Kalaba; Ushindi, Traore; Malango
Prediction: Draw (21/10)
Logic dictates that TP Mazembe will sit back and look to counter attack for two reasons, they are playing away and they are leading 2-1. SuperSport will look to take the game to their opponents for obvious reasons. Even though I’d like to see Tinkler’s men winning this one, I think it will end in a draw and Mazembe will lift the trophy.
Written by Benedict Ngwenya. Follow him on Twitter here!
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