Igesund’s job on line after third loss in a row

Supersport United slumped to their third defeat in a row yesterday, a result that — even in these early stages of the campaign — not only hurts their Absa Premier League title chances, but has put coach Gordon Igesund’s job at risk.

And with Stuart Baxter back in the country, one wonders whether this could be his next destination.

A team that was probably the best assembled at the start of the season, with a four-times championship winner at the helm, has continued its poor start and finds itself in the relegation zone rather than in the top half as contenders for the title.

It’s Platinum Stars — a side that was forced to bring back Cavin Johnson to save them from the drop with eight Premier League matches remaining last season — that looks more convincing. Yesterday afternoon’s win over Matsatsantsa pushed Dikwena to the top of the log as they remained unbeaten after six matches.

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They were unfazed by the scorching heat in Atteridgeville, putting the SuperSport back four under pressure at every opportunity. But they were only rewarded for their hard work in the second half, when the opposition failed to keep up with their attacks.

Sibusiso Msomi grabbed the opener in the 53rd minute when he was picked out by a delicate long ball from left back Siyabonga Zulu. The winger, who had been threatening to get one past SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in the first half, also proved too quick for the central defensive pairing of Bongani Khumalo and Clayton Daniels.

And then, on the hour mark, striker Bongi Ntuli doubled Dikwena’s lead following a solo run from the halfway line, which ended with the ball sneaking in under Williams in goal.

There was a glimmer of hope for Igesund and his men when the man they look to for goals — Jeremy Brockie—pulled one back in the 68th minute from an awkward angle. A good goal that didn’t last long in the memories of those who had witnessed it here at the venue because it didn’t take long for the opponents to respond.

When Robert Ng’ambi made it 3-1 to dent any chance of a SuperSport comeback, it was clear that the better team on the day had deservedly got the positive result they were looking for. The midfielder was also making amends with his 75th-minute strike after he’d failed to do so in the first half when he scuffed his first-time volley with just the keeper to beat.

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Igesund, now under immense pressure and perhaps even likely to lose his job, had promised to ring the changes following yet another defeat on Tuesday, when SuperSport narrowly went down 1-0 to Bidvest Wits, but the coach’s replacements didn’t raise any eyebrows, with Michael Boxall the notable change.

Judging by how they played, and the result, the former Bafana Bafana coach should have done a bit more with this team to spark a rival. The wheels have come off after their 4-1 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs on September 12 in Polokwane, where they also suffered a blow when midfield workhorse Dean Furman was redcarded.

Furman served the last of his two-match suspension yesterday and his absence was felt.

Dikwena, on the other hand, have found their feet under Johnson, a man sacked by SuperSport just over a year ago following similar results.

They were clinical in the final third, with Msomi, Ntuli and Ng’ambi all scoring. They are now top of the Premier League table with 14 points from six matches and are yet to suffer defeat. The last time they had such a run, three seasons ago, Johnson was pipped to the title by Baxter.