Zesco are no pushovers, says Furman

SuperSport United go into their their Caf Confederation Cup quarterfinal first-leg encounter with Zesco United with a great sense of anticipation after the long break between the group stages and the last eight.

Matsatsantsa are at home this evening at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, where Eric Tinkler will take charge of SuperSport for the first time in the Confederation Cup, having taken Orlando Pirates all the way to the final in 2015.

“It is a game we have been looking forward to for a long time,” said SuperSport captain Dean Furman (right) yesterday.

“We are excited for the quarterfinals, we feel like we have grown as the competition has gone on and we look forward to playing another big club on the continent in the form of Zesco.”

The Zambian side will be no pushovers, having reached the semifinals of last year’s Caf Champions League.

Having said that, SuperSport are the form side after impressing in 2-0 wins in their last two games. Matsatsantsa swatted aside Maritzburg United to reach the MTN8 final on Saturday and then beat Platinum Stars in an Absa Premiership match on Tuesday.

By contrast, the Ndola-based Zesco have only won one of their last five matches.

“We only look at ourselves, our confidence is high, they have got to come here and look for that away goal. That is what we don’t want, it can be dangerous in a two-legged affair,” said Furman.