SUPERSPORT United coach Eric Tinkler says an away goal is vital if his charges are to win the Caf Confederation Cup.
Matsatsantsa a Pitori travel to Democratic Republic of Congo tomorrow where they face TP Mazembe in the first leg of the final in Lubumbashi on Sunday.
Although United held Mazembe to a 2-2 draw in their backyard in the group stages, Tinkler stressed that this would be a different ball game with even higher stakes.
Said the coach: “We have done it before in Lubumbashi and we can do it again. It’s a massive game and a fantastic opportunity for a side like SuperSport. We go into a game against a team that is highly experienced. They reached 11 Champions League and Confed Cup finals. But morale in camp is good and we are looking forward to it.”
Having led Pirates to the Confederation Cup final in 2015, where they lost 1-0 on aggregate to Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel, Tinkler knows the size of the task ahead.
SuperSport head into the match without influential central defender Morgan Gould who is suspended, while Tinkler will be keeping his fingers crossed that deadly striker Jeremy Brockie returns from national duty without any injuries.
Brockie is expected in the country today. Tefu Mashamaite, meanwhile, will plug the gap left by Gould.
“We will rely on the depth that we have in the squad,” said Tinkler.
“We go into this game with a few suspensions and injuries – players need to step up.
“We have a long season ahead of us. We will have eight fixtures in January and the question is, will they be ready?”
Tinkler’s other concern is the preparedness of his other players on international duty, since he hasn’t had much time with them – goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in particular.