DURBAN, June 05 (Absa Premier League) – Thanda Royal Zulu have everything to play for heading into the second leg of their relegation play-off final against Mpumalanga Black Aces in Durban on Saturday, with assistant Johan Eriksson hoping for one final push from his players.
The Amabhubesi drew the first leg of the tie 0-0 in Witbank, but ahead of the match at the Chatsworth Stadium the number two coach is hopeful of retaining their Absa Premier League status.
“We are fired up for the game tomorrow and are confident we will retain our PSL status next season,” Eriksson said. “We have no injuries or suspensions and will be ready to go.
Our boys have also been boosted with news that Tonic Chabalala is available again after attending to personal issues, while July Mahlangu returns from a knee injury.
 The Swede continued: “The good news is that both Tonic and July are back after missing the first leg.
“We have introduced incentives for tomorrow’s game but unfortunately the figures are confidential,” added Eriksson, who was talking about bonuses up for grabs if Thanda do stay up.
Coach Mlungisi Ngubane is equally bullish of our chances.
“This is a huge game for the club,” he said. “And after the ups and downs of the past season, it is certainly a worry that the players will be mentally prepared for the game.
Sure we are disappointed that we didn’t win the first leg or get a goal at least. But the positives are that we kept the scoreline at 0-0 on their home ground and we still consider it a good result.”
Aces coach Sammy Troughton is hoping his players can focus on the game as if it were any other game and not worry too much about the delights of the Premier League.
He said: “Its going to be a very tough game as Thanda also wants to stay up but we are also on a mission and want to achieve our goal of getting to the ultimate point which is the PSL.
“I highlighted the importance of the game to the players and they all understand that we are 90 minutes away from our destination.
“Our biggest weakness in the first leg was the opportunities that we created but missed. I just hope that we can create and convert chances on the day as games are won by scoring goals.
“We need all the support we can get on Saturday and we promise to give it our best shot.”