Anxious Tuks, Super Boys seek points

Desperation will be the name of the game when SuperSport United and University of Pretoria slug it out in the Tshwane Derby at Tuks Stadium on Sunday.

Both teams have had a false start to the season and they will want to end the year on high ahead of what is expected to be a tough campaign after the Christmas break.

Tuks are battling relegation. They are second from the bottom with six points following one win, three draws and six losses.

SuperSport lie ninth with 13 points from three wins, four draws and four losses.

Clearly, neither team has been impressive.

SuperSport defender Clayton Daniels said their battle today is going to be tough as both sides need points desperately. He is also surprised that Tuks are meandering in the relegation zone.

“I don’t expect to see Tuks down there. They are always a fighting team. They are a difficult team to play against. But the league is interesting. You win three games and you are up there,” said Daniels.

Daniels and his teammates have struggled this season, and they got knocked out of the MTN8 and the Telkom Knockout.

Often a top-four team, SuperSport have been lagging behind this season with inconsistent performances. With the top eight their goal, Daniels said they desperately need the three points today.

“We have not performed well this season. We had a slow start but are now doing alright.

“We are unbeaten in five to six matches. Players are determined and focused on doing our best. We try to improve with every game. It’s a derby and we want points and they also want points.

“They want to be out of the relegation zone and we want to be in the top eight,” said the Bafana Bafana defender.

Tuks midfielder Ronald Ketjijere is hoping the team will get things right in their final game ahead of the break.

A win will boast their confidence even though they will still need more wins to be clear of the relegation zone.

“Three points are very important. It’s been challenging for us. The second round of the league is always tough so we need the points. Teams will be fighting for the top eight and others will be trying to avoid relegation so it’s going to be very difficult,” said Ketjijere.

Tuks have scored just five goals, the lowest in the league. This shows the dearth of creativity in the squad. Ketjijere, who is also the captain of the Namibian national team, said a lack of luck and killer instinct are behind their lacklustre performances.

“We create chances, but we fail to convert. Other teams get one chance and they score and beat us. And sometimes we are just unlucky.

“I can’t blame the coaches. They do their best and it is our responsibility to convert the chances,” said the University of Pretoria law graduate.

“We have to win. As players we know our jobs are on the line. We need to work harder. We want to do well and secure our status.”

Tuks coach Sammy Troughton will need to beef up his team if he is to save his job and the team from the chop.

They lack creative midfielders and potent strikers.

Ketjijere said Tuks’ inability to hold on to players has also been a factor in contributing to their decline in recent seasons.

“Because of budget constraints it’s been a challenge for us to retain players,” he explained.

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