Cape Town City boss Benni McCarthy has warned his manne that SuperSport United won’t roll over in their PSL opener on Saturday (6pm).
City host Matsatsantsa at Cape Town Stadium hoping to get off to a flying start, but it will be easier said than done against the one of the league's toughest teams SuperSport have a bit of a reputation for drawing games with their tight defence.
News out of the visitors’ camp is that coach Kaitano Tembo, who took over from former City boss Eric Tinkler, is under pressure to get results or he could the boot.
But Benni still believes that the Gauteng side, featuring the likes of Dean Furman and dangerous wingers Aubrey Modiba and Fagrie Lakay will be a handful.
After playing to two draws last season with Saturday’s opponent, the coach says: “SuperSport are always difficult, they have a team with lots of experience.
“I don’t know too much because they haven’t done much business during the transfer window, so they’ve been a little under the radar.
“Some may say that they are an ageing squad, but age brings experience and composure, players who are familiar with situations, and are able to grind out results.”
Benni reveals that he has no serious injury problems, despite first-choice centreback Kwanda Mnyongama limping out of training on Wednesday.
Bafana Bafana’s all-time leading goalscorer played down the injury and joked that only he has pain… from his selection headache with all his players raring to go.
Off his squad’s fitness status, he says: “Nothing much, just the usual niggles, but I have an injury – my head hurts: selection for Saturday is already giving me a headache.”
One player who is already up to speed with the threat that Saturday’s opponents carry is new Dutch goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh, who is doing his homework on South African football.
He says: “I watched SuperSport on TV for 90 minutes, just to have a look for Saturday’s game. It’s different to Europe, but it’s still football.”
The 24-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam man adds: “The level actually actually surprised me. We could be competitive in the Dutch league too.”