SuperSport know what’s at stake, says Brockie
JOHANNESBURG: The corridors at SuperSport United have been quiet, with every player, technical staff member and the bosses avoiding talk of them finally winning the PSL this season.
It’s been seven years since Matsatsantsa were crowned PSL champions. The last time they won it (back in the 200910 season), they had gone two consecutive seasons defending it. After that, the Tshwane side went through a dry spell.
Matsatsantsa became a shadow of themselves season-in and season-out, watching sides like Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns take turns in clinching the league trophy. Orlando Pirates had won it twice in a row before these two sides had become the main attraction when it came to the domestic league race in the past four seasons.
SuperSport striker Jeremy Brockie reckons this could be the season to finally end their dry spell. However, he believes they need to produce more wins than draws in their remaining 10 league matches, if they are to realise that goal.
Matsatsantsa host Baroka FC in a league encounter at Mbombela Stadium tomorrow.
A win or a draw would see them surpass Kaizer Chiefs’ 19-match unbeaten run in the league in the 2014-15 season.
“The reason why everybody at the club has been quiet, avoiding to talk about the possibility of winning the league this season, is because no one wants to jinx it,” Brockie said.
“We’ve been avoiding such talk, though we’ve been consistently avoiding defeat in the league.
“It is only now that coach (Stuart Baxter) began talking about us needing to win all our remaining matches, if we are to stand a chance of winning the title.
“And we all agreed. Everybody understands what’s at stake. And I believe we can do it.”
Brockie, who scored the opener in their 2-0 victory that ended Amakhosi’s unbeaten run three seasons ago, said he hopes to be on the score-sheet tomorrow, as SuperSport aim to make history.
Matsatsantsa have gone 19 league games unbeaten this season and the 29-yearold striker said it would be a dream come true, if they were to achieve the feat.
“As a kid growing up in New Zealand, I never wanted to play any other sport but football. And yet it was never easy,” Brockie said.
“There were a whole lot of people, including the media, who discouraged the idea of the sport being played in the country.
“And that’s because New Zealanders are a rugby-loving nation.
“I tried playing the sport (rugby), but it was never meant for me. It’s the tackling that got me out of it. I just couldn’t take it. Scoring tomorrow would be truly special.”