SuperSport United midfielder Grant Margeman has stressed the importance of the team adhering to caretaker coach Andre Arendse’s instructions in their upcoming fixtures to secure their survival.

The former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, a 1996 African Cup of Nations winner, was appointed on an interim basis following Gavin Hunt’s departure.

Hunt’s dismissal came as SuperSport struggled, sitting second from bottom with 21 points after 21 matches. The team’s failure to win in their last three league outings prompted the change.

The Tshwane giants have also scored the second-fewest goals in the league this season, with only 13, while conceding 22.

“It’s definitely to make sure that we take it one game at a time and to make sure that we take instructions from coach Andre from the first get-go, to what he wants from the players, to what he expects from the guys,” stated Margeman. 

Margeman, who has been sidelined with an ACL injury, believes he will not return to the field this season due to the extended recovery period.

The 26-year-old, who joined SuperSport from Mamelodi Sundowns at the start of last season, has been a key performer for the club. However, he will be unable to assist SuperSport in their fight against relegation.

“I don’t think so (I will play again); the full nine months of the recovery ends at the end of May, and that’s when the league ends, so probably be fully back next season,” he explained.

SuperSport, now winless in their last four matches across all competitions, will see Arendse’s first game in charge when they host Cape Town City at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday. Interestingly, Cape Town City also has a new caretaker coach, Diogo Peral, who replaced Muhsin Ertugral.

Article by Kamogelo Ndlovu