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Santos test for Igesund

Johannesburg - Santos know that they could be facing a reinvigorated Birds side when the teams do battle at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday night (8:15 pm kick off).

Swallows come into the game with their 2010/11 struggles well documented – the Jo’burg club has managed only two points in nine games under the coach Rainer Zobel, who has now made way for the country’s most successful PSL coach, Gordon Igesund.

Santos have had a reasonable campaign – they have 13 points from nine games, which leaves them eighth.

The People’s Team will be looking to use this match to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic in their most recent league encounter.

The Cape side appear to have been affected adversely by the loss to injury of star striker Erwin Isaacs – Isaacs is reported to be back in training, but is unlikely to play on Saturday.

Ricardo Skippers and Mogogi Gabonamong will both miss the game through suspension.

Veteran Musa Otieno played under Igesund when Santos won the Premiership near the start of the decade, and knows Santos will have to face the backlash of Swallows’ dismal start to the campaign.

“They will be very motivated to make a good start under the new coach and the players will be out to prove themselves to the coach, so we are going to be up against a side giving 150% effort.

“But we have our own game-plan and our mission is to get the three points at home, ,we want to have a good end to our campaign before the break, and make sure it’s a happy Christmas for us,” said the Kenyan.

Birds skipper Lefa Tsutsulupa sounded in an upbeat mood after a training session this week.

It appears as if Igesund’s presence is proving to be a refreshing one.

“We have changed the way we train – we train less but more intensely and the players are feeling fresh and sharp.

“Gordon has brought positivity to the entire squad. He has made everyone feel that they are part of the team – everyone feels they have the chance to make the side and the competition is good.

“We’re looking forward to the Santos game, we’re just going to go out there and follow instructions and give it our best shot.”

Swallows will be without left-back Keegan Ritchie for this game, but newly-signed striker Esau Kanyenda will be eligible to play.

Kanyenda was a lethal poacher during his time at Jomo Cosmos, and the Birds camp will be hoping he can recapture this form in 2010 and beyond.

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