United get morale booster before Chiefs
Weekend success for SuperSport away from home against early log leaders Bidvest Wits came at an appropriate time for the team‚ said coach Kaitano Tembo as they prepare for the MTN8 semifinal tie against Chiefs on Sunday.
“It’s a morale booster‚” Tembo said after Saturday’s 1-0 win at a frigid Bidvest Stadium. “It gives us a little less pressure in terms of us preparing for the MTN8.
“Two days after that we’re playing Chippa and we are also trying to put emphasis on our league matches as well‚ because you saw last season what happened when we had to fight to avoid relegation, so we don’t want to repeat that.”
Tembo rejected the suggestion that there was less pressure on his side ahead of the semifinal than his opponents Chiefs‚ who have yet to win a league game. “Not really‚ for us the next game is always the most important game and there is always pressure.
“It doesn’t matter who you play or in which game you play‚ we always try and put emphasis on the next game.”
But he did agree the first leg at Atteridgeville would be tough. “They (Chiefs) got into the semifinals because of a good win (3-1) over Free State Stars, and irrespective of their league form‚ a cup game is a different game altogether.”
Against Chiefs‚ Tembo will be looking for inspiration from one of their former players after hailing the impact Reneilwe Letsholonyane made after coming on against Wits.
MTN8 semifinals first leg
Saturday: Cape Town City v Mamelodi Sundowns, Cape Town Stadium, 3pm
Sunday: SuperSport v Chiefs, Lucas Moripe Stadium, 3pm