SuperSport United ready for final fight to avoid playoffs

The point lifted Matsatsantsa to 14th on the table with 23 points from 23 matches: six wins, eight draws, and ten losses.

With the business end of the 2024/25 season in sight, Arendse says they must fight for every single point.

"I have no doubt in the technical and tactical ability of my team, it's all there for everyone to see. 

"But, as long as we keep the fight burning in the belly in every single game. That is what I will be demanding from the players. There is no shortcut or easy way out; every single game has to come with a fight," said the interim boss. 

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Excluding their postponed fixture against Orlando Pirates and the abandoned match against Golden Arrows, SuperSport United have three matches left.

They host Chippa United on Saturday, then travel to face Stellenbosch FC, before finishing the season at home against Richards Bay.

Arendse concedes it doesn’t get any easier.

"It's a series of games that we have to make about ourselves, and how we are going to navigate those games. 

"I just feel as though luck hasn't been on our side recently, but we do know that we have to create our own luck. We're not far away from that next victory, and we get another chance against Chippa United," proclaimed Arendse.

SuperSport United, a club boasting three Premier Soccer League titles and a proud history, faces an unfamiliar battle.

With Royal AM’s membership suspended, the team finishing 15th will contest the promotion-relegation playoffs.

Arendse is confident they’ll stay in the top-flight league, but adds that a lot needs to change to avoid being in this situation again next season.

With Lyle Lakay suspended for the clash against Rise and Shine, Arendse handed 19-year-old Neo Rapoo a start, while Vincent Pule also started.

The coach was full of praise for the impact both players made.

"Pule said to me that his best position is wide right as an inverted winger, cutting inside. That's what he did so well against Polokwane City.

"As for Rapoo, he was great from a defensive perspective, as well as from a set-piece delivery perspective," explained the former Bafana Bafana shot stopper. 

Neo Rapoo has joined Amajita for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt.

Arendse says he fully supports Rapoo’s call-up, believing national duty must always be prioritised.

Arendse also gave an update on 21-year-old defender Ime Okon, who has six months left on his contract.

Earlier this year, Okon went on trial with Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine, but no deal was finalised.

Despite ongoing rumours about interest from other clubs, Arendse says Okon remains committed to SuperSport United.