Danny Jordaan has plans for football in the southern African region and he won’t let the fact that he’s not at the helm get in the way.

Danny Jordaan says he is determined to help turn the southern African region into continental football giants in spite of him not ascending to the Council of Southern African Football Association’s (Cosafa) presidency.

Having withdrawn from the presidential race against Seychelloi Suketu Patel due to the bad vibes he picked up from some of the delegation, Jordaan said this week he was not going to sit back and see the rest of Africa dominate the game.

“I’d love to see Cosafa challenging the north and west for continental honours. I want to see countries from our region qualifying for the World Cup and playing at international junior tournaments on a regular basis.”

And to this effect, Jordaan is intent on sharing his master-plan for the region’s football with Cosafa president Suketu Patel and his executive.

“Our region has been struggling and this is because of lack of competitions. Our teams always go into big qualifiers or tournaments cold because they have no regular competition. And that’s the reason we’ve not been doing well. My plan is to help change that,” he said, opening his iPad to show the Sunday Independent the presentation he made to Cosafa.

Part of his plan is to have Under-16 and Under-19 tournaments replace the current Under-17 and Under-20 tournaments.

“We need to have tournaments that help prepare our youngsters for the Caf and Fifa tournaments. It is for this reason that it would make sense to have the Under-16 and 19 tournaments instead of Under-17 and Under-20 events like we currently do.”

While he admits he would have been in a better position to be an agent for change as president, Jordaan says not being in charge should not be an obstacle.

“We are a member of the region and if we want South Africa to do well in international football we have to start in our own region.

“We cannot compete alone, we have to make sure that there are competitions in Cosafa for our teams to play regularly and thus be ready for the bigger tournaments in the continent and in the world. And I am prepared to share my plans with Cosafa, they know about them because I presented this plan to them before the elections, and most of them felt it is something the region needs.”

It is a week after the dramatic events of the Cosafa elective conference at Gaborone Sun where Jordaan pulled out of the elections just before voting, citing the animosity of the delegates as reason for his decision.

While he is clearly not yet over what he felt was unfair treatment of himself by the South African media, Jordaan is his usual amiable self.

As we walked into his spacious office that boasts, not only a working desk, but comfortable leather sofas and a big table for conferences as well as numerous framed posters of the man himself, Jordaan lamented the fact we did not warn him we’d be taking pictures.

“I am in my Friday wear,” laughs the man whose suit is merely rendered informal by a multi-coloured nautical shirt, “You should have told me you’re bringing a photographer.”

The laughter soon makes way for a frown as the fourth vice-president of the South African Football Association (Safa) expresses his disappointment at the ‘one-sided’ coverage he feels he got from Independent Newspapers, in particular.

At the root of Jordaan’s disappointment is the fact he was not given right of reply to comments made by Namibian FA general secretary Barry Rukaro, who accused him of not delivering on his promises.

“I never made any promises to Namibia,” he explains. “That guy from Namibia was talking nonsense when he said I made promises – why didn’t he show you those proposals or commitments I made to him or his association?

“Namibia were actually not on the list of the countries that promised to vote for us. I did not expect them to.

“I really felt that as a good journalist, you should have asked him (Rukaro) to give you the evidence of the things he was saying.”

Jordaan went to great lengths to corroborate his stance that he had the support of most of the delegates.

“What you guys were hearing on the ground in Botswana was just talk from people who did not matter. Those people you quoted are nobodies in international football. None of them were going to vote. I met with most of the president here in Joburg before we went to Gaborone and most of them pledged their support for me.

“These are the people who were disappointed when I pulled out.”

With Metropolitan now having announced it’s withdrawal as sponsor of the Under-20 tournament that helped make Patel’s first tenure some success, there could be some within Cosafa regretting their decision to spurn the opportunity of a R30m windfall as promised by Jordaan during his campaign.

But as he said this week, all Cosafa have to do is ‘call’ and the ‘good doctor’ will come to their aid.

Free State have stunned all with their form this season and they’ve become one of the hardest teams to beat in the PSL.

It was a wintry early August evening and the venue was packed with Free State Stars players dressed in immaculate suits and in a jolly good mood reminiscent of the festive season which is now upon us.

Then, as he delivered his speech, Rantsi Mokoena stunned all and sundry: “Our mandate for this season is to challenge for the league.”

The place went quiet for a moment, but later, the neutrals present simply laughed off Mokoena’s statement as hollow talk.

Those of us who posted his comments on Twitter were asked: “Are you serious? Did he really say that?”

The occasion was the Free State Stars awards four months ago, when the club’s general manager told Steve Komphela, the coach, that it is expected that his men should be somewhere near the top of the Absa Premiership table at the end of this campaign.

For a team who had finished outside the top eight last season, ninth to be exact, setting such a lofty target was always going to be seen as nothing but delusional reverie.

Yet, 13 matches into the season, and Ea Lla Koto have shown promise that their dream could be a reality. They are placed third in the standings and, without a doubt, have become one of the most difficult teams to beat.

They could be even higher, were it not for some dubious refereeing decisions which robbed them of certain victories. “When I made those comments (at the awards dinner), I had absolute confidence in the team. For the first time in our history, we spent a lot of money on new players, so naturally I expected that they would show us why we paid so much for them. And they are all good players,” Mokoena said this week.

That Stars have amassed 24 points from 13 matches has caught a lot of people off-guard, with some openly admitting to have been surprised by their progress.

“People are surprised, but we at the club are not. We expected this,” Mokoena said.

“We recruited well … men such as (Oluwafemi) Gege from Nigeria, Katlego Mashego from Baroka FC and Ayanda Gcaba have boosted us. We have a good, experienced team. Kennedy Mweene is one of the top goalkeepers in the country. It’s a pity that some people say they are surprised to see us where we are.”

These people have not watched Stars even once this season, according to Mokoena, and, he added, include Kaizer Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic, whose team host Ea Lla Koto at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

“I was shocked to hear V V (the Chiefs coach) saying we play long balls. Clearly, he hasn’t watched us. Yes, we did play long balls when we played them in Polokwane last season. It seems that was the last time he saw us play. We have changed from that. It is ridiculous for anyone to claim we are playing long balls.”

Something which also irks Mokoena is the media coverage Ea Lla Koto have received for their ascendancy this season.

“We have hardly got any coverage, that’s why people claim they are surprised. And if we get it, it’s mostly negative.

“We hear things like we have been ‘lucky’ to be in this position, or that it’s been a ‘fluke’. From a brand and commercial point of view, this is not helpful as it belittles our progress.

“But it works to our advantage that opponents do not know a lot about us. They have never bothered to check even the names of our players,” he said.

Stars’ title credentials face a tough test against Amakhosi, where the Free State side will be looking for at least a point to keep in touch with the championship chasers whose party they have gate-crashed. They conclude the first round with a clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday.

“These so-called big teams do not worry us as it is always easy to play against them. Every player is motivated for such a match. But it’s difficult when you’re up against Golden Arrows, Santos or Maritzburg United because there’s no hype around those games.

“We should be able to play well against Chiefs. Of course, it’s a tricky, away game. On their day, Chiefs can slaughter any team. But I believe our players will rise to the occasion.” – Saturday Star

“It is purely rubbish. And if you go through the rubbish then you will come out stinking,” says Steve Komphela of PSL match officials.

Free State Stars soccer coach Steve Komphela has lamented the standard of refereeing in the sport and the impact this may have on results in the Premiership.

“It is purely rubbish (refereeing standards). And if you go through the rubbish then you will come out stinking,” said Komphela.

“It is discouraging. You should check the records from our matches, you could swear it is deliberate and someone has got an agenda.”

Bafana Bafana's first-ever national captain is still reeling from his team's 1-0 Premiership loss to neighbours Bloemfontein Celtic on the weekend.

This came after his side had a goal that looked like a legitimate one disallowed by referee Buyile Gqubule.

Last month, Bidvest Wits coach Roger de Sa vented his anger over standards of refereeing this season, leading calls to have match officials made full-time professionals instead of semi-pros.

“It was a legitimate goal against Celtic,” said Komphela.

“We had a goal from a free-kick denied against SuperSport United earlier in the season. Maybe the guy was a novice, but it was the same thing with decisions in most of our matches.

“It defeats the whole purpose of success and it makes me sad because I sometimes think about abandoning what I love.”

Local soccer turns its focus to cup competition this week with the start of this season's Telkom Knockout.

Free State Stars have a tricky away first-round clash against Ajax Cape Town at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.

“I'm going there hoping that the referee won't be a factor,” Komphela said.

“We will be playing a good team where we will be looking at improving (from) some of our own stupid mistakes that we made against Celtic.”

Stars have not lifted any silverware in 17 years.

“It has been a while, and I have been here for five seasons playing non-stop, so it would be nice if we can go all the way with this trophy, “ said captain and Zambian international goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene.

“And there is no saying that we can't win it. We've broken boundaries recently after beating Orlando Pirates in the league for the first time at home in nearly 10 years.”

While meeting the Urban Warriors first up is a mammoth task, the self-proclaimed fittest team in the country might have an advantage of a daytime kick-off despite the windy Cape conditions.

Ajax have grown a reputation of struggling in the afternoon heat and being at their best in evening kick-offs.

“Ajax generally struggle when they play during the day,” Mweene said.

“But they will still be tough and I believe it will be an open game and one that we hope we can secure without going to extra-time or penalty shoot-outs.” – Sapa

Safa are waiting on more information from Bafana Bafana’s management before deciding on their appeal to Caf.

The SA Football Association (Safa) has requested more details before deciding on taking further a complaint about Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) rules.

“Having received the reports, the management committee (Manco) has requested additional information in order to make its final determination,” Safa said in a statement after a meeting on Friday.

“On receipt of this information, the Manco will reconvene in the shortest possible time to conclude the matter.”

Safa filed a letter of protest to the Confederation of African Football after the Bafana Bafana technical team had failed to correctly interpret the rules of the Afcon qualifying competition.

Under the impression they needed to draw against Sierra Leone in their final qualifier in Nelspruit last week, the Bafana Bafana team celebrated after playing to a goalless stalemate against the Leone Stars.

Safa officials and Bafana team management, however, were informed shortly after the match that head-to-head results, and not goal difference as they seemed to believe, would determine the qualifier from Group G.

As such, Niger progressed, and Bafana were knocked out.

The national team's head coach, Pitso Mosimane, Bafana players and officials were all clearly confused by the ruling after they were tied on points with Niger and Sierra Leone.

Safa, however, said in a statement on Monday the Bafana technical team was “well aware” of the rules, but they had been incorrectly interpreted. – Sapa

With Bafana’s failure to qualify for the Afcon finals firmly in the past, attention turns back to the PSL after the international break.

After last week's disappointment in their failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament, most of the Bafana Bafana players will focus on Premiership club action this weekend.

Orlando Pirates take on a resurgent AmaZulu outfit, who are fresh off a 4-0 win over Ajax Cape Town, at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.

“Personally, I have moved on from the (Afcon) disappointment and I am now focused on the job at hand, which is doing duty for my club,” said Pirates and Bafana defender Siyabonga Sangweni.

Pirates, the defending champions, have not had an easy time in the league, having recently lost to Kaizer Chiefs and been held to a draw by Mamelodi Sundowns.

“Pirates haven't done well in previous league matches,” Sangweni said.

“It's obviously a big concern, but we are not feeling any pressure yet because we know what we are capable of, but we also know AmaZulu won't be pushovers.”

Pirates will still be without their star wing, Tlou Segolela, who has not fully recovered from a knee injury and he is expected to return only next week for the Telkom Knockout competition.

Golden Arrows take on Mamelodi Sundowns at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, with the KwaZulu-Natal outfit now under Turkish-German coach Muhsin Ertugral after recently firing German Ernst Middendorp.

Arrows, who beat Chiefs in their last outing, will target the expensively-assembled Brazilian outfit led by the league's leading goalscorer, Katlego Mphela.

Johan Neeskens' charges are erratic but have proved they are capable of finding the back of the net with their offensive-minded football.

“I'm well aware that all the teams in the PSL want to do well against Sundowns,” said Neeskens.

“All I have to do is prepare my players mentally and physically.

“I'm not only expecting goals from the strikers on the pitch but the midfielders and defenders as well because that's what we practice on the training grounds.”

In the afternoon match, Wits tackle Moroka Swallows at Bidvest Stadium.

The hosts will be without Chintu Kampamba after the Zambian defender broke his cheek bone in his country's successful Afcon qualifier last weekend.

“Chintu is due to have an operation on Friday and will be out for between four to six weeks,” said Wits coach Roger de Sa.

“The team is fresh from a break, and had found a bit of rhythm beforehand, but Swallows won't be easy and have had a good start to their campaign.”

Swallows coach Gordon Igesund heaped praise on the team spirit of the former Soweto giants, who had improved from last season where they just escaped relegation.

“I'm very happy with the spirit of the guys,” said Igesund.

“We have had a decent start, and now have to focus on Wits who are very hard to break.”

Also on Saturday, Platinum Stars take on Santos at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg.

On Sunday afternoon, Black Leopards host Kaizer Chiefs in Polokwane, with Amakhosi striker Bernard Parker keen to put behind him criticism of his poor form for both club and country.

There have been internal issues within Chiefs' camp in recent weeks, with coach Vladimir Vermezovic unhappy with his senior players who were accused of not taking enough responsibility.

This led to rumours that captain Jimmy Tau resigned after a dressing room tiff with the Serbian, following their 2-1 loss to Arrows two weeks ago.

“The past few results have not gone our way but now we have put that behind us and the coach has brought the spirit back into the team,” said Parker.

“He has addressed us, in particular the senior players, about taking responsibility.”

The Free State derby between Clinton Larsen's Bloemfontein Celtic and Free State Stars, coached by Steve Khompela, will also take place on Sunday at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium. – Sapa

Bafana Bafana and Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2012 Afcon finals, but the Super Eagles have accepted their fate without protest.

HOW LAUGHABLE for the South African Football Association (Safa) to claim that the interpretation of the head to head tie breaker rule is unfair and confusing!

Instead of accepting failure and the fact they were unaware of the rules, Safa – through president Kirsten Nematandani and CEO Robin Petersen – moved to further alienate South Africa from the rest of the continent who view them (Safa) as pompous and arrogant by appealing against Caf’s rules.

Nematandani’s statement smacked of arrogance.

“Do not despair, all is not lost. We believe we have a case and we will carry this fight all the way. If CAF’s rules are ambiguous then we need to challenge that and we are well within our rights to do so. In the meantime be positive, and leave everything in our hands.”

What ambiguity? The rules are clear for even a grade four pupil to understand.

The rules say: In case of equality of points between two or more teams, after all the group matches, the ranking of the teams shall be established according to the following criteria: 14.1 Greater number of points obtained in the matches between the concerned.

As clear as they come won’t you say Mr President?

Perhaps Safa should learn from their Nigerian counterparts who also failed to qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

The Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia, didn’t know that a 2-1 lead against Guinea would have guaranteed Nigeria qualification as one of the best two runners-up. He thought they needed one more goal to seal it so instead of defending the lead, the coach pushed forward and piled more strikers, leaving them exposed at the back. Guinea duly punished them to make it 2-2, and finished on 14 points ahead of the Super Eagles’ 11.

Unlike the South Africans though, Siasia or anyone in Nigeria for that matter, did not go around calling Caf rules “unfair and ambiguous”. Instead Siasia apologised to the nation.

“It was just a communication problem at the end. We thought we were going through at 2-1, but we were not sure if that was enough, and we didn’t want to take any chances. That is why we pushed and pushed,” he said Siasia.

Skipper, Joseph Yobo told Nigerian newspaper, Complete Sports that they misinterpreted the rule: “If we knew we were going to qualify with the 2-1 lead, there was no way they (Guinea) would have scored that goal except maybe a mistake from any of us. But without this information, we were condemned to score the third which forced us to throw caution to the wind. We the players have ourselves to blame.”

2002 FIFA World Cup

South Africa 2 Spain 3

Misunderstanding what they have to do to qualify is not something foreign to Bafana Bafana. Back in 2002 at the World Cup co-hosted by Korean and Japan, Jomo Sono and his boys failed to progress out of the group stage due to their keeping tabs with what was happening in another match. Bafana were playing Spain in Daejeon needing a draw to qualify ahead of Paraguay who were playing Slovenia. Instead of trying to win or at least get the draw, Bafana concerned themselves with what was happening out in Jeju. The result was disaster. being informed of the results, Bafana thought a 3-2 loss was still going to see them through as they heard that Paraguay were winning 2-1. That scoreline would have seen South Africa progress ahead of Paraguay on goal difference (0 to their opponent’s -1). But then Nelson Cuevas scored Paraguay’s third on 84 minutes to ensure the two countries were level on both points (4) and goal difference (0). Having drawn their match, Fifa then had to go on the number of goals scored and Paraguay’s six to Bafana’s five saw Aaron Mokoena and Co returning home.

SuperSport United’s young striker Atusaye Nyondo is a goal poacher of note with big dreams, writes Matshelane Mamabolo.

MANY a player would have headed straight home to drown their sorrows and rest. Some would have spent the day in front of their television or played video games. Others would have gone to chill out with friends or at their favourite hang-out. Atusaye Nyondo headed straight to the gym.

Having travelled all day through two countries following a disappointing failure to qualify for next year’s the African Cup of Nations, SuperSport United’s Malawian striker displayed the discipline and dedication that many believe will take him places.

Nyondo landed at OR Tambo on Tuesday from Chad (via Nigeria and Ethiopia) and went directly to the gym. The club had the day off, but Nyondo could not afford the luxury of rest.

“I don’t wait for the coach to tell me to train. I am doing this for myself, I was very tired when we landed and I needed to get back into feeling good before the training with the rest of the team. That’s why I went to the gym, to refresh myself.”

He is only 21 and in his maiden season in the Absa Premiership, but Nyondo’s thinking and behaviour are typical of a thorough professional. That he was deemed the best player for the months of August and September in the league – he was yesterday awarded with the Absa Premiership Player of the Month award – was not surprising, Nyondo having scored four goals (just one behind Sundowns’ Katlego Mphela) in six matches.

While the goals are clearly the result of a God-given talent Nyondo himself realised he had very early on in his life, it is the dedication to his career and the hard-work he puts into it that are going to no doubt help him realise his ultimate dream of playing overseas.

“It’s by the grace of God that I am where I am today,” he says reflectively. “I’ve passed through very difficult circumstances because my parents had to work very hard to take care of me, my sisters and brothers.”

Now, he is the one having to take care of them – paying his siblings’ school fees and providing for the family’s basic needs. Yet it could easily not have been this way.

“Early on my dad encouraged me to play football and even bought me boots. But my mom would have none of it and one day she burned the boots and my soccer kit because she wanted me to focus on my studies.”

Such was a mother’s resolve to see his son educated that Nyondo was shipped to a boarding school to ‘take me away from my football mates’.

Out of respect for his parents, Nyondo went to the school but he made them aware that “going to school does not mean I will do well in class. I told them my first love is football”.

His parents must have felt God has a pretty strange sense of humour. For, as things turned out, the school Nyondo was sent to turned out to be big in football.

“Soon I was doing very well at the school and I found myself joining Destroyers as a 15-year-old and then getting called-up to the Under-17 national team,” says the player who so admires Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o that he always wears jersey number 9 wherever he plays.

Naturally, the parents – especially mom – were happy to see their son playing for country and when he turned professional with Silver Strikers in 2007 before he was 20 years old, their pride knew no bounds.

Strikers had gone over a decade without winning the league but with the help of Nyondo’s lethal boot that drought was brought to an end.

“I helped change the fact Strikers had not won the league title since 1996 and that’s something I am very proud of,” he says without a hint of arrogance “In the first season I was the top scorer in the league with 16 goals and the next season I was number two with 12, just one behind the guy who won.”

Those goals helped Strikers be crowned league champions in 2008 and 2009 and soon word reached South Africa of a potential star out in Lilongwe.

“I joined Carara Kicks but I was actually meant to have gone to Lyon in France only that move did not materialise.”

Nyondo did not take long to make his mark at Kicks, the National First Division side based in the Free State. Again his scoring prowess came to the fore as he netted ten goals in the first season and 15 in the second one to earn that ‘dream move’ to SuperSport United.

“When I was back home in Malawi and I watched SuperSport on TV. I really liked them and I wanted to play for them. I liked coach Gavin (Hunt) because he looked like someone I could learn a lot from.”

Given his flying start to his time at SuperSport there can be no denying Nyondo is enjoying himself. And having scored four goals in just six matches, he’s already shifting his target for the season.

“When I joined SuperSport I said I wanted to score 18 goals this season. But the way I am getting chances and the way my teammates are supporting me, I think 25 goals are possible.”

Such confidence can only come from a man who knows what he’s about, someone confident of his abilities. And given his dedication and discipline, who is to doubt he can’t reach the 25 goal mark.

Still reeling from the failure to qualify for the Nations Cup last weekend, yesterday’s award from the Absa Premiership eased things a bit. But helping SuperSport beat Maritzburg United tonight and maintain their unbeaten run and lead will do the trick even better.

VIEWS ON NYONDO

Morgan Gould, SuperSport United captain

That boy’s like a wunderkind that’s not discovered yet. He’s different class, I tell you – a diamond in the rough that’s going to shine bright once polished. He’s very short but also strong, which is pretty rare. He does the basics right, yet very effective. While he is a good scorer of goals, what makes him special is that he is also very good at creating them. I think he will be able to score lots of goals for us. What’s most impressive about him is that he is very humble. I never knew he was playing for his country until he asked me for my Bafana jersey and promised to give me his Malawi one in return. I think the boy’s going to do very well.

Robert Ngambi, Malawi international

He is still very young and is only beginning to become a regular with the national team. But I have no doubt he will go on to be one of our country’s key players. He has a bright future. He is very dangerous in front of goals; he is unbelievably quick and is a very good finisher. The fact that he’s already scored four goals in the Premiership must tell you of his potential. And he’s got a good attitude. He has not changed and remains the humble boy I’ve always known him to be. And the boy is willing to learn. He is not shy to ask the older players for advice and he takes criticism very well.

Duncan Lechesa, Carara Kicks coach

Nyondo reminds me of Thierry Henry at his best when he played for Arsenal. He is a complete player; he has pace, he is strong and he knows how to score goals. He’s a goal-poacher of note and we benefited from his talents last season when he scored 15 goals for us. The kid is hard-working and dedicated to the game, and what I love about him is that he leads a clean life – he does not drink and he does not smoke. He is humble and he’s not the type who will get big-headed because of success. I am also very happy for him that he joined SuperSport because I think he will get great guidance from Gavin Hunt which will help him fulfil his potential and become a star for club and country.

Three-time champions SuperSport United look to have regained the kind of form and killer instinct that saw dominate the league.

Maritzburg United can do the unthinkable tonight and go top of the table for at least half-a-day.

And, if recent form is anything to go by, going top of the table is certainly not just a silly dream for the much-improved Team of Choice, who against all odds find themselves third after seven rounds of matches.

It’s possible and Ian Palmer’s boys are probably itching to walk out on to the pitch and have a serious go at SuperSport United, the club that currently tops the standings, at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

On any other given day, a SuperSport and Maritzburg clash would be considered a no-contest, seeing that Gavin Hunt’s club have never lost to the KwaZulu-Natal based club when playing at home.

But a lot has changed lately and SuperSport should be wary of a club that seems to have turned the corner and is now battling it out at the top with the “big boys” of local football.

Maritzburg, like SuperSport, are yet to lose this season, and have proven, since Palmer arrived in January to replace Ernst Middendorp, that they are no longer a club that can be taken lightly – home and away – making their clash tonight one to look forward to.

Shuaib Walters, the Maritzburg captain, says the club will do whatever it takes to ensure they remain unbeaten and go top of the table.

“We are both unbeaten and I can tell you that both clubs are going to go all out to make sure that their unbeaten records are not broken. We (Maritzburg) have to keep the run going as that would give us even more confidence going into our future matches.

“It will be a tight game. We win and we go top for at least a day. That would be great. We have been working hard throughout the week.”

Maritzburg, though, are yet to win away from home, having drawn all their matches away. But Walters, who has only conceded three goals on the road, has a feeling they will get their first victory this season in someone else’s backyard tonight.

“I don’t think playing away from home will be a problem. We have shown that we can compete away from home and playing at SuperSport is not like playing at Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates where there are thousands of supporters that can sometimes intimidate you.

“SuperSport don’t have much of a following and we can do well there. We’ll also have a few of our supporters with us. We have a winning mentality and that’s what you need in tough matches,” the goalkeeper says.

His coach, Palmer who was awarded the Premiership Coach of the Month yesterday, enjoyed a good chat and laugh with Hunt last week at the Telkom Knockout draw.

But there certainly won’t be any of that tonight as the two coaches look to hold onto their unbeaten records.

Maritzburg’s results at the Lucas Moripe Stadium against SuperSport

2010/2011

SuperSport 1 Maritzburg 0

2009/2010

SuperSport 3 Maritzburg 2

2008/2009

SuperSport 5 Maritzburg 0

2006/2007

SuperSport 3 Maritzburg 0

2005/2006

SuperSport 1 Maritzburg 1

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