Johannesburg – SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt believes the experience gained from the Caf Confederation Cup will give Matsatsantsa an advantage over the rest of the teams in the Absa Premiership.
“The teams we play in Africa are totally different from those we play in the PSL” Hunt said ahead of United's league encounter with Maritzburg United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Tuesday.
“They are much bigger and stronger – we don't play teams like that every day in the PSL – and that's totally the difference.
“But is good for us – it's good for our team and for individual players. It makes men out of boys so we can't complain.”
Tuesday's fixture serves as a catch-up game for United, after the Pretoria side were held to a goalless draw with Egyptian outfit Enppi at the weekend.
“It was a great result for us away from home as they are the best team we have played in this competition so far,” Hunt said.
“We allowed them to come at us on the wing which gave them room to cross.”
With two games in hand and two points behind fourth-placed Bidvest Wits, SuperSport have the opportunity of not only stealing fourth position, but also cementing their place behind Orlando Pirates in third.
Hunt said he was pleased with his team's current form, which extended to 15 games unbeaten across all competitions.
“We've gone a couple of games unbeaten now, which is important,” Hunt said.
With the squad having to spread themselves across three competitions – the Premiership, Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup – Hunt had concerns about fitness, but said the team had no choice but to soldier on.
“You must understand, when you're playing every three days, it's going to take a little bit out of you here and there,” he said.
“We're coming to the business part of the season now. It doesn't matter where you are in the league, you're jockeying for relegation, top eight, winning the league, the Nedbank Cup and the Caf Cup.”
He admitted he was enjoying the busier schedule, and said and said they had done all right so far with the current squad.
Matsatsantsa came from a goal down to beat 10-man Maritzburg United 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup when the teams met 10 days ago, with Mogogi Gabonamong's stoppage time header, at the end of the first half, securing Hunt's side a vital semi-final berth. – Sapa