Igesund faces a tough task against in-form Downs
SUPERSPORT UNITED coach Gordon Igesund is like a man dying of thirst while standing in the middle of a river.
Igesund has everything at his disposal to make his team great. A fat cheque book, big name players and kind bosses but his team has not impressed this season.
Usually a top four team, SuperSport are 10th with 17 points on the Absa Premiership table following four wins, five draws and five losses.
The four-time PSL champion- ship winning coach, Igesund was keen to add another title to his glittering resumé but it seems it will remain just a dream as SuperSport trail log leaders and local rivals Mamelodi Sundowns by 13 points.
Igesund has made some bad choices and now he is living with the consequences. The players Igesund signed have not set things alight. With the exception of Jeremy Brockie, a number of recruits by the former Bafana Bafana coach have failed to make the grade.
Perhaps what should worry Igesund the most is that his men don’t appear to be fighting for him. Even before the 4-1 loss to Polokwane City last weekend his players lacked commitment and fighting spirit and the coach should be regretting releasing players such as Lebogang Manyama, Thabo Moloi, Jino Moeketsi and Mor Diouf among others.
Another blemish on Igesund’s tenure was discarding Clayton Daniels as captain in favour of Thuso Phala, who in turn resigned as skipper.
The armband was given to newcomer Dean Furman ahead of a number of veterans in the side. This may have not sat well with some of the players.
That Igesund has made some tactical blunders has also not helped SuperSport’s cause.
With the names on SuperSport’s roster they ought to be up there with the teams that are fighting for the league.
However Matsatsantsa a Pitori will be fighting for a top eight finish this season. The fact that SuperSport enlisted Igesund’s services was to add to the three titles they have in their trophy cabinet.
Igesund has a daunting task of whipping his men back into shape in their quest to do better this season. It looks as if Matsatsantsa have nothing to play for. Their only hope of silverware is the upcoming Nedbank Cup.
The trophy might aid Igesund, who seems to be on his way out but his immediate challenge is to do well against rivals Sundowns in the Tshwane derby to be played at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
Sundowns have hit a rich vein of form and are unbeaten in 14 matches so SuperSport will have to be at their best to stop Pitso Mosimane’s marauding side.