We can reach the Confed KO: Modiba

SUPERSPORT United need to continue juggling their load, balancing their continental commitment on Tuesday before playing in a cup final on Saturday that secures the winner a place in next year’s Caf Confederation Cup.

This could force them to field a secondstring team against TP Mazembe, saving the regulars for the Nedbank Cup final. But that won’t be a train smash as the club’s secondstring team helped them reach the group stage of the Confederation Cup.

Teboho Mokoena made his debut in this tournament before becoming a first-team regular. Mokoena opened his account with a goal against five-time Caf Champions League winners Mazembe in a 2-2 draw on June 4. Aubrey Modiba scored the first goal in SuperSport’s comeback.

“That was the biggest goal of my career,” Modiba said. “Not many people come to Lubumbashi and score against Mazembe. It’s a special goal just like the point we got.

“We achieved that because we were strong mentally. We need to continue with that because if we do, we can reach the quarterfinals and maybe even the semifinals.”

The point United got in Lubumbashi ranks second in the list of precious commodities they left the Democratic Republic of Congo with.

“As we left the pitch, Mazembe fans were really angry with their team and they started throwing things onto the pitch,” Kaitano Tembo, who is in charge of United in the group stage of the Confederation Cup, said.

“But some stopped, applauded us and gave us a standing ovation. It was a moving gesture to be appreciated by proud fans who are used to winning. That game showed us that we can play against the best in the continent but the applause showed that we can win over new fans as well.”

Tembo will continue leading Matsatsantsa a Pitori in the Confederation Cup when they host Mazembe at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday. Stuart Baxter’s last game in charge is on Saturday in the final before Eric Tinkler takes over from July 1.

But Tembo, who will serve as Tinkler’s assistant, will remain as the coach in the club’s remaining Confederation Cup games in the group stage. If United reach the quarterfinals, Tinkler will take over.

The Tshwane side stands a good chance of making it out of their group. They’re tied on five points with Mazembe and Horoya of Guinea after three matches.

“We have scored the most goals in our group [nine]. We just need to work on our defence,” said Tembo.