RUSTENBURG, December 5 (Absa Premier League) – Thanda Royal Zulu assistant Johan Eriksson is calling for “focus” from his players ahead of their meeting with Platinum Stars on Saturday as they bid to end their recent free-fall down the Absa Premier League table.
The Amabhubesi, who were on the losing end in their last three games, have consequently slipped to 13th place on the log with one-third of the season now completed and the Swedish coach knows that the trip to Olympia Park in Rustenburg will not be easy.
“We are expecting another tough match,” he said. “We have had a chance to study them on television and we also had somebody go and watch their latest match.
“But we really need to focus on ourselves and knock in a few goals.”
Reflecting on the last game against Santos, Roger Palmgren’s number two pointed out that their biggest downfall was the failure to find the back of the net.
He added: “Against Santos last week, it was very disappointing in that we had more shots at goal than them, but they walked away with the three points.”
Thanda were dealt a major blow this week when Jonas Oketola tested positive for a banned substance.
The Benin midfielder, who is now awaiting a hearing date from the South African Football Association (SAFA), is definitely out, while winger Sibusiso Hadebe and defender Japie Motale are both suspended.
Tenth-placed Stars meanwhile have their fair share of absentees with George Mofokeng, Tshepo Ramokala (both suspended) and Ivan Zwane (knee) all ruled out.
Coach Miguel Gamondi is not reading anything into our boys’ current slump, highlighting that it could work against his side as they bid to bounce back from a defeat and two draws in their last three games.
He said: “I don’t believe that because Thanda lost their last three games it will be easy. Sometimes it’s more difficult against a team on a bad run, because they will be eager to bounce back.
“I respect every team, including Thanda and we will see what happens. I’m confident in my players and I hope we can improve.
“I was disappointed when we lost against Pirates because we didn’t deserve to lose. But after that we’ve played well and drawn two games, but every game is different. I think that most of the teams in this league are very inconsistent, sometimes they play well and sometimes not.
“We are working very hard to get on the right track.”