SuperSport United’s preparations ahead of their Caf Confederation Cup final first leg encounter has been severely hampered by injuries and suspensions to key players.
Matsatsantsa go into the clash on Sunday afternoon without the suspended duo of Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Morgan Gould, but most recently they have been hit by a spate of injuries which saw them travel to Lubumbashi with just 17 players.
The latest reports suggest that the exciting Thabo Mnyamane alongside the talented Teboho Mokoena have been forced to sit out the away leg due to injury. This will come as a heavy blow to coach Eric Tinkler’s plans considering the disruption which the international break has inflicted.
Nonetheless, SuperSport are certainly not short of talent within their ranks, and one such player who is determined to step up to the plate in place of Letsholonyane and Mokoena is youngster Sipho Mbule.
The starlet who has only made a solitary appearance so far in this year’s tournament, which came in the form of a substitute appearance against Zesco United, sates that he will jump at the opportunity to play in the final.
“I am really motivated for this game and it will be a great stepping stone in my career. If I play I will definitely give my all,” Mbule told SuperSport.com
However, the 19-year-old admits that the prospect of playing against a true African powerhouse is daunting.
“I am a bit nervous, I think Mazembe have won it about three times, but I will try to do my best despite who is watching or not,” he concluded.