United midfielder Musa Nyatama was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 48th minute and Stars’ winner was scored by striker Reuben Thabakang in the 88th.

Igesund said that even after Nyatama’s dismissal, he believed United could get a win. The coach was so confident of this that he introduced striker Brice Aka for midfielder Vito Badiane in the 62nd minute.

Stars coach Steve Komphela also went for the kill, bringing on Namibian striker Henrico Botes for midfielder Joseph Malongane.

“I’m very disappointed about the game,” Igesund said last night. “We had four clear-cut chances in the first half and Stars were defending. Even after we had a player sent off we had a great chance to win when Noah Chivuta beat the offside trap and Wayne Sandilands made a phenomenal save.

“Towards the end I could see the guys were getting tired from running their guts out with 10 men. We had a lapse of concentration and let Stars score.

“You win some, you lose some, and now we have to put it behind us and think about Chiefs.”

Nyatama’s dismissal means Igesund must examine his options at defensive midfielder ahead of the game against Chiefs at Orlando Stadium. The coach said the injury to last season’s player of the year, John Arwuah, looks likely to rule the midfield hardman out for the season.

“I’ve got young ‘Chilis’ [Madondo], Chivuta can play defensive midfielder and James Madidilani can also play there,” Igesund said.

He continued: “I had a good look at Chiefs [in their 3-2 victory over AmaZulu at Chatsworth yesterday] and studied them very hard, and I think I’ve got a plan for them.

“I think they’re still a work in progress under the new coach [Vladimir Vermezovic]. They’re definitely a good team, but look like they’re still coming together.”

United have a tough programme ahead. After Chiefs they play Bloemfontein Celtic (home), Ajax Cape Town (away), Mamelodi Sundowns (h) and Moroka Swallows (a).

“We’ve got to play teams like that,” Igesund said. “And you can’t tell me the games we’ve already played against SuperSport, Wits away, AmaZulu and Platinum Stars haven’t been tough, and we’ve done well so far. All the games are tough this season and we have to adapt.”

United will play a friendly against First Division side Thanda Royal Zulu, now coached by Mark Fish, ahead of the Chiefs game.

“Areas I want to work on are creating more chances, being more direct and the finishing. Because especially in away games, if you get two chances and take one you can win the game,” Igesund said.

Article courtesy of Marc Strydom and the Witness