Mouthwatering boodle for winner Mkhize is steel-willed star

SUPERSPORT United will earn R8million in prize-money from four matches should they win the MTN8 final today‚ just over half of what they would earn for winning the Caf Confederation Cup in 18 matches across the continent.

Matsatsantsa meet Cape Town City in the R8-million first prize MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The Pretoria team remain in contention for the Confed final‚ though have work to do progressing past the semis‚ where they drew 1-1 at home against Tunisia’s Club Africain in first leg on October 1.

The second leg – SuperSport’s 16th match in the gruelling continental competition – will be played in Rades on October 21.

The prize-money‚ should Eric Tinkler’s team then win the two-legged final in November‚ is $1.25-million (R15.1-million).

The Confed‚ too‚ of course involves travel across the continent‚ sometimes including lengthy stops in flights and harsh conditions. Winning the MTN8 requires simply comfortable‚ short‚ domestic travel.

“It’s an interesting one when you compare the two competitions we are in at the moment‚ with the Confederation Cup where I think we’re probably going into our 16th game in the 10th or 11th month since we began‚” SuperSport captain Dean Furman said.

“And then you look at this competition where we’re going into our fourth game in the three months‚ and we’re in the final.

“But it doesn’t take away from the prestige. Obviously to lift trophies is what we’re here for.”— DDC THAMSANQA Mkhize‚ who is fit to play for Cape Town City in their MTN8 final against SuperSport United today‚ has sent a message to rightbacks in the country‚ said his coach Benni McCarthy.

The defender limped off with a knock at the end after being Bafana Bafana’s unsung hero making a solid debut at right-back in their 3-1 World Cup qualifying win against Burkina Faso at FNB Stadium last Saturday.

McCarthy said 28-year-old Mkhize had sent a strong message to rightbacks in SA with his strong performance for Bafana deputising for injured Ramahlwe Mphahlele of Chiefs. “Thami is fine. He’s a trooper. A gladiator. He could have taken the easy way out and said that after the knock that he can’t go on. But he wanted to come out and make use of the opportunity he has been given.

“He was tremendous (for Bafana) and I think he has sent out a strong signal to the right-backs in the country. They have to come and take him out of that position. He’s an example to most players if you know his story,” said McCarthy. — DDC