Tuks in their first Tshwane derby
In the first Tshwane Derby of the season, the University of Pretoria will lock horns with neighbours SuperSport United in an Absa Premiership match at the Tuks Stadium on Saturday afternoon, kickoff at 15h00.
Newcomers Tuks have had a fairly good start to the season which will satisfy their student supporters and technical team.
The University side have faced two Kwa-Zulu Natal sides so far in their inaugural season in South African football.
Only a draw at home in their opening match of the season has denied Tuks a maximum haul of points in their first two encounters.
Tuks, unfortunately, conceded a 92nd minute goal against Maritzburg United to surrender victory in the dying minutes, but then, against all expectations, they recorded their maiden PSL victory by beating Golden Arrows in Durban last week.
Tuks coach, Steve Barker, though, has warned side not to get carried away when they play United and should know that the win against Arrows is now old news.
"It just gives you the belief that now we can win games in this league,” said Barker.
"So it's great to have our first victory. It's a confidence builder and will bode well for us in the future.
“I said before at the start of the season that if we hope to stay in the PSL we need to assemble a formidable squad to face the challenges of playing in the big league.
“I am happy so far with the commitment of everyone in the team, but we have to remain focused and not get carried away our first win,” added the Tuks tactician.
Tuks will play against a confident United side that has just booked a place in the MTN8 final against Moroka Swallows.
Matsatsantsa thrashed defending champions Orlando Pirates 3-0 in the second leg semifinal and will be smelling blood when they play against their junior neighbours.
But perhaps Gavin Hunt’s men will want to turn their attention to the league where they have only registered two points from a possible six after draws with Ajax Cape Town and Pirates.
Clifford Mulenga who joined Matsatsantsa from Bloemfontein Celtic is happy with his new side’s start to the season and hopes that they will maintain their cup form and is confident their league form will also improve.
“I’m very happy with my move to SuperSport. The setup here is the most professional of all the clubs I have been to, it’s different to anything else and I’m very happy,” said the former Zambian international.
“I love the environment. All the guys here are winners and I’m confident with the squad we have, we will win things, that’s why I chose this club.”
Mulenga has been a journeyman in the PSL, starting out at Tuks, before going to represent Bidvest Wits, Thanda Royal Zulu, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Celtic to date.
“We work hard here at SuperSport. The coach demands excellence of us at all times and I feel he will get the best out of me; he is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with,” concluded the midfield maestro.
