SuperSport United assistant coach Andre Arendse has backed on-loan striker Christian Saile after his penalty miss in the Nedbank Cup against Orlando Pirates at the weekend.
The tie ended 2-2 after 120 minutes leaving it to be decided by a penalty shoot-out with Saile’s kick the second one saved by Sipho Chaine as the defending champions advanced to their third successive semi-final in the competition in as many seasons.
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Arendse who was on the bench due to head coach Gavin Hunt’s suspension advised the Congolese attacker to chin up as he didn’t actually miss but was saved.
“Head up boy,” said Arendse.
“Head up, head up nobody likes to miss a penalty. In fact, he didn’t miss it, it was saved and so I think it’s important for him to understand that the penalty was saved and that’s it, that’s important for us to understand.
“So, we’ll lift him up and we’ll go again. I know it’s never easy but so much to be proud of today from the boys.”
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The former Bafana Bafana number one went on to say that he’s happy with how Saile is adjusting in Pretoria and that the side is still trying to find a position best for him.
“He’s settling in well he’s a quality player,” added Arendse.
“We are trying to find what position suits him best because he’s very good on the wings for us, but he can also play with two strikers upfront.
“He’s running into the channels so we are giving him different options as a player.”
