SuperSport United blend of youth and experience excites Andre Arendse

Matsatsantsa have yet again not been shy to throw academy products like defender Ime Okon and winger Shandre Cambell into the deep end, while recruiting veterans Siyanda Xulu and Lyle Lakay.

Arendse knows there will be comparisons with crosstown rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, but he is not looking too far ahead.

"We must be careful of not falling into the trap of just keeping an eye on Sundowns all the time. We've got to focus on what we need to do," said the former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper.

"And I have no doubt, we've been fortunate to bring on some quality in terms of playing staff, and we're very happy with how they've progressed.

"We'll continue to do that, we've got a really good mix – an even better mix than last season – of senior pros and youngsters coming through as well, so we're excited to see where the combination will take us this season."

SuperSport sold two of their stand-out youngsters in wingers Thapelo Maseko and Patrick Maswanganyi to Sundowns and Orlando Pirates respectively, but seem to have a conveyor belt of talent.  

"We've got Ime Okon coming through and, of course, Shandre Campbell, who are closer to the team now, and make no mistake – Patrick and Thapelo are massive losses to the team," he acknowledged.

"Because they were huge for us last year, and on an occasion we had [Zakhele] Lepasa, who was also weighing in last year, and he's gone to better levels now. So, yes, those are losses to the team."

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