Matchday 21 - Preview

JOHANNESBURG, February 17 (Absa Premier League) – Four points out of six from their last two games has left Thanda Royal Zulu assistant coach Johan Eriksson optimistic that his side has finally turned the corner after a tough start to 2009.
The Amabhubesi drew with Golden Arrows on Sunday, eight days after stunning league champions Supersport United 3-1 in their own back yard, and they have now raised hope of Absa Premier League survival.
Roger Palmgren’s team are now up to 13th in the table and another win against Bidvest Wits at Milpark Stadium can lift them a further two places.
However, Eriksson knows it won’t be easy.
He said: “It’s going to be a tough match off course against Wits. It’s a very different team to Arrows, tactically especially. Every match is a different challenge, so we have to prepare ourselves accordingly.
“I feel that we dominated the game with Arrows and had much more possession than them.
“The players are definitely on track and we can see now that there is a very good atmosphere in the group.”
Thanda were again let down by their form in front of goal on Sunday, but Eriksson points to their 30 goals scored this season as testament to their ability.
He added: “We held the ball quite well and created more chances, but that’s football, it could have gone either way. It’s about finishing and taking your chances, which both sides didn’t do.
“I don’t think that goal scoring is anything to worry about, we have scored the most goals in this league, so there’s nothing concerning about that.
“Every time you play a game, you are going to miss chances, but the important think is not to dwell on that too much and look ahead.”
Clement Mazibuko (knee) and Sibusiso Hadebe (hamstring) both face a race against time to be fit, while Tonic Chabalala is still suspended.
Students’ coach Roger da Sa has also endured mixed fortunes in recent weeks and watched his side struggle to build on the solid start to the season.
They were beaten by Mamelodi Sundowns in their last game, but the Wits boss is keen for a reaction from his players against Wednesday’s visitors.
“We were beaten by a better side (Sundowns). They are well organised have quality players and we simply could not penetrate their defence.
“But that is history and we have to learn from the mistakes we made and make sure we collect maximum points against Thanda.”
Former Wits pair Phil Evans and Clifford Mulenga are both likely to feature for Thanda and Da Sa knows they will be out to impress.
He added: “I expect both will want to prove a point to me. It is usually the case when a player comes up against his old club that he raises his game and tries harder.
“Both left by mutual agreement and there are no hard feelings from me or them.”
First-choice goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro is expected to return after recovering from flu, but striker Dale Studzinski is still injured.