Caf Confederation Cup Preview: Matsatsantsa look to tame The Ravens, Dikwena in Tunisia
Sunday signals an important day for South African sides in the Caf Confederation Cup, with SuperSport United and Platinum Stars both in action.
It is destined to be an exciting day of football and in the pick of Sunday’s clashes. SuperSport travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo to take on defending champions TP Mazembe in what is expected to be their toughest assignment yet.
Matsatsantsa are currently undefeated in their group and victory against The Ravens could give them the advantage needed to progress in the competition.
However, victory will not come easy with Lubumbashi a notoriously difficult place to travel to. Despite the hostile conditions, the Tshwane side will fancy their chances as Mazembe have struggled on the continent of late. Most recently, the Congolese side were held to a 1-1 draw by Horoya.
Nevertheless, Mazembe are still regarded as one of the best teams on the continent and with players such as Zambian Rainford Kalaba and former Anderlecht defender Anthony Vanden Borre in their line-up, SuperSport will need to be at their very best.
Meanwhile, SuperSport go into the clash without their coach, Stuart Baxter. The Briton continues to balance his roles as SuperSport and Bafana Bafana coach. Baxter’s assistant Kaitano Tembo will once again resume his role as caretaker coach.
Although, SuperSport have been known to utilise their fringe players for the competition due to the demands of what has been a gruelling campaign, they are expected to field their strongest team to preparation for their Nedbank Cup final later this month.
Also on the night, Platinum Stars travel to Tunisia to face off against three-time Confederation Cup winners Club Sportif Sfaxien. Dikwena will be hoping to bounce back following a horrid display on the road against Mbabane Swallows.
With the Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign now wrapped up, Stars can focus firmly on their continental duties and will target three points against the Tunisians.
While Sfaxien go into the clash as favourites, they too will be desperate for victory after they suffered a 2-1 defeat to MC Alger.
Nonetheless, with both teams going into the clash off the back of disappointing results, victory is essential as they look to keep their knockout ambitions alive.
Stars’ coach Cavin Johnson is expected to ring the changes ahead of the encounter and will be without the suspended duo of Gift Sithole and Vuyo Mere for the clash.
It should also be mentioned that Stars have been in Tunisia since Friday as they hope to acclimatise to the North African conditions and prepare for the late night kick-off.