SuperSport United and Marumo Gallants will battle for three 2021/22 DStv Premiership points when they meet at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 5:00pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

SuperSport broke a two-game losing streak in the league when they defeated TS Galaxy 2-1 at home on November 5, with goals from Thamsanqa Gabuza and Sipho Mbule.

Matsatsantsa have claimed 12 points from five home matches this season, with their only blemish a 2-1 loss at the hands of Kaizer Chiefs last month.

SuperSport head coach, Kaitano Tembo, welcomed the November international break and reserved special praise for Gabuza following his team's comeback win over Galaxy.

"Gabuza deserved to win the man-of-the-match award against TS Galaxy. He stepped up to convert the penalty, and he was calm about the situation. He works hard, and he leaves everything on the pitch. He scored in back-to-back games. I am proud of him and hope that he will continue to work hard,” said Tembo in the aftermath.

“Since he joined this club, he always gives his all. He is focused. He is getting rewarded because of his hard work. He is leading our attack with confidence, and he takes the penalty and makes it look easy. You need the type of a player in your team to win matches.”

Bottom-of-the-table Gallants extended their winless start to the season to nine games and suffered a fifth defeat when they were crushed 4-0 at home by Mamelodi Sundowns on 7 November.

Bahlabane ba Ntwa have claimed one point from five away matches this season, with their last outing on the road a 0-0 draw at AmaZulu in early November.

Dan Malesela has been roped in as Gallants' new head coach with the hope that the former TS Galaxy and Chippa United boss can help turn their fortunes around.

"It is a good feeling to be back, when the club called, I didn't even think about it. I feel that me and the players will suit each other so when the president (of the club) called I didn't even hesitate," said Malesela ahead of this weekend's match.

"I am hoping and very optimistic that in no time we will see a good improvement, a very huge improvement. It is only a matter of time that we will get ourselves out of the position we are in now, I don't think it reflects what the club has in terms of playing material."

In head-to-head stats, this will be the first competitive meeting between SuperSport United and Marumo Gallants.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

SuperSport United

Thamsanqa Gabuza: The towering forward has scored five goals in 10 league matches this season and goes into the weekend having netted two goals in his last two games. With Bradley Grobler yet to find his scoring boots in the current campaign, Gabuza's run of form couldn't have come at a better time as Matsatsantsa battle it out at the top of the standings.

Ronwen Williams: Following the disappointment of the Ghana defeat and controversy surrounding it, the Bafana Bafana captain will be eager to keep a clean sheet as he shifts focus back to club football. The SuperSport shot-stopper has already kept five shut-outs in the current campaign but has conceded a single goal in each of his last three matches.

Marumo Gallants

Thabo Mnyamane: The former SuperSport United forward will have a point to prove against his former employers. Mnyamane has yet to find the back of the net this season for a Gallants side yet to come to terms with top-flight football but will feel there is no better time to open his account for the campaign than against SuperSport this weekend.

Miguel Timm: The hard-tackling former SuperSport United Academy midfielder will have an important role to play for the visitors against a youthful and talented SuperSport midfield. After having conceded four goals in their most recent encounter, the visitors will be eager to keep things tight at the back and Timm will have an important role to play in front of the defensive line.

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