United’s double trouble

Modiba warns of Shandu, Mekoa threat in cup tie

SuperSport United wing-back Aubrey Modiba knows enough about a couple of the in-form players in the Maritzburg United team to appreciate that he will have his hands full in their MTN8 semifinal second leg at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg tomorrow (8.15pm).

Modiba understands the threat that Bandile Shandu and Deolin Mekoa will pose to Matsatsantsa.

The 22-year-old workhorse was a roommate of Shandu’s during their time at the national Under-20 team and was also a teammate of Mekoa at the School of Excellence.

“I know them very well. They work hard for their team and cover a lot of ground, but we need to stop them as an entire team,” Modiba told Sowetan.

“Deolin is a different person on the field. He does not want to lose and has the heart of a champion. Bandile is quick and can go back and forth on the field. It is really going to be an interesting one.”

The Team of Choice will have the slight upper hand due to their away goal in their cup tie after having drawn 1-1 in the first leg.

Maritzburg will also be spurred on by the resilience they displayed in the first leg.

With six minutes left on the clock Lebohang Maboe grabbed the equaliser after Thuso Phala had put their Tshwane opposition ahead.

That late equaliser preserved Maritzburg’s unbeaten run in all competitions so far this season and they will now be encouraged to follow up their maiden top eight qualification with a first cup title.

At the Pietermaritzburg stadium where many teams struggle, SuperSport will need to be at their best to advance and place one hand on the R8million prize.

“Their ground will be a factor but we know what to expect. We are not going there to defend, we need to score first at least to open them up,” Modiba continued.

“It’s important that we get the first goal and take charge of the tie from an early stage. They have started well and are winning, which has been good for them, but we know what we have to do,” he added