Furman fitness ‘massive boost for us’

Michaelson Gumede

No one is more delighted that Dean Furman (right) is back in excellent shape and firing on all cylinders than SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tambo.

It has been over two months since the Matsatsantsa captain returned from a shoulder injury that had sidelined him for most of the first-half of the season.

Tembo has likened Furman’s work ethic to no other and says the Bafana Bafana international carries the team on his shoulders and never disappoints when he is on the pitch.

The United coach will again invest a lot of faith in his skipper when they host relegation-threatened Free State Stars tomorrow afternoon at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

“You can never question the work ethic of Dean. He is an honest player who always gives you 120% each and every time he plays. That is why he is our leader – that is why he is our captain. We suffered a lot when he was out through injury because he missed about four or five months of football,” said Tembo.

“We missed his leadership qualities in the team at that time. Now he is back and we can see what we have been missing throughout the season and we are getting that back. It is not only him who is pulling their weight, everyone is working hard and that is why I am happy with the performances,” he added.

United will host an Ea Lla Koto side full of confidence after picking up a 1-0 Absa Premiership win away to Chippa United. However, SuperSport have not been as convincing at home as Tembo would have liked, having lost their last home game to Baroka FC.

Meanwhile, Stars look to be a side that has gained some momentum in a bid to haul themselves to safety. Stars have not lost in the last three league games, having registered two draws and a single win.

Before that, the Bethlehem-based side had won only one in 10, losing eight of those.