Kaitano Tembo says SuperSport United will “soldier on” in their bid for three points against a dominant Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
Matsatsantsa take on the DStv Premiership leaders at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on the back of a hard-fought victory over Stellenbosch last Wednesday.
But while they come into this tie in third place on the league standings, they are without a number of key players, and still 12 points adrift of the Brazilians.
Speaking ahead of the game, Tembo said on SuperSport: “It is our third game in six days, so it is difficult for the players with our thin squad. But we have to soldier on and try to manage the team as best we can.
“We have good confidence and have prepared the best we can for the game with what we have. We had to give the players some time to recover so that they are fresh.”
SuperSport came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Sundowns at Loftus Stadium last month.
“When we played them last time we had a very good start and then conceded a goal in a critical phase just before halftime. Then we came back int he second half. We need to improve defensively and show the same mentality as we did after half time in the first game.
“We need to have a very good start against a very good team. We are confident about this game, it is a home fixture and we need to try and take the game to them. We have nothing to lose,” added the SuperSport boss.