SANTOS APPROACH SUPERSPORT MATCH IN UPBEAT MOOD



23 October 2009

Santos are full of confidence that they can get a positive result from their clash against league front-runners SuperSport United at the Super Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday night.

The Peoples’ Team head into this match in a lofty second position on the PSL table.

Team manager Yusuf Gester says that the players are not getting carried away with their position on the table, although he feels that the side is definitely in the kind of form to make life difficult for the Premiership champions.

“At this stage we are not too concerned with being in second place – it’s still early days.

“Both teams have been looking good and this will be a tough encounter. We must respect SuperSport, they are the current league champions and have been playing very well lately,” said Gester.

In last season’s corresponding match, Santos won 1-0, thanks to a goal from Tyren Arendse.

“We do perhaps have a physiological advantage in that we have a good record against SuperSport away from home.

“I’m looking forward to this game and feel that on current form it could go either way – it will depend on the day who wants it more,” added Gester.

Arendse, together with debutant Tony Tsabedze, were both on target in Santos’ 2-2 draw with Free State Stars, a game in which Gester says Santos were satisfied with their overall performance.

“The conditions were very tough and we were not unhappy with the result, especially seeing that we showed character to bounce back from being a goal down.”

With all of Santos’ new signings contributing well this season, coach Boebie Solomons has built up a squad of real quality and depth, with his cause being aided by all players remaining fit and available for selection.

"There are no serious injuries and we have a full squad available – Bongi Macala is also back from suspension," Gester reported.