THE BACKPAGE phakaaathi.co.za Stars back for Eric

SECOND LEG: AWAY GOAL COULD BE VITAL FOR SUPERSPORT’S CHANCES

Only the suspended Gould is not in line to face TP Mazembe.

Eric Tinkler will hope to have much better preparation and to see some of his injured players return to full fitness during the course of the week as SuperSport United prepare to host TP Mazembe in the second leg of the Caf Confederation Cup final at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night.

The defending champions beat Matsatsantsa 2-1 in Lubumbashi on Sunday. Nonetheless, that defeat has not dented Tinkler’s hopes of clinching the title at his second attempt after finishing as runners-up with Orlando Pirates two years ago.

“The objective was achieved, we managed to get the away goal.” he told SuperSport TV. “We are happy with the 2-1 loss because we will only need a goal at home.

“We must remember it has been extremely difficult for us in the past week. A lot of the guys really got back on Friday and we did not have a training session, so the preparation leading up to this game has not been the best.

“You could see Jeremy Brockie, Dean Furman, Bradley Grobler and Ronwen Williams were struggling because there is still a lot of fatigue from the travelling (on international duty). We knew that at a certain stage in the game we needed to pull them off and it was all about recognising when we could make those changes.

“We had suspensions and inju- ries, and obviously when we play at home will have the suspended players back and a few of those injured players back and I believe that will give us a lot more depth and strength,” said Tinkler.

SuperSport will be able to welcome back midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane from suspension on Saturday, though defender Morgan Gould is still banned.

The star of the show was actually Letsholonyane’s replacement, United teenager Sipho Mbule, who not so long ago was playing in the MutliChoice Diski Challenge. His gorgeous long-range strike could yet prove vital.

“I am extremely happy with Sipho Mbule. Not a week ago he was playing in the Diski against Mamelodi Sundowns and now he finds himself playing in the Confederation Cup final. That is how quickly your life can change in football,” said Tinkler.