Matchday 30 - Preview
Thanda Royal Zulu - Maritzburg Utd
DURBAN, May 08 (Absa Premier League) - Thanda Royal Zulu head into their final Absa Premier League game against Maritzburg United on Saturday knowing that only victory can save them from a potential relegation play-off.
Mlungisi Ngubane‚s team did the business earlier this week when they came from a goal down to claim all three points in a 2-1 win over Platinum Stars, a result that moved them to 32 points.
Before that victory, all the talk was about a straight fight between the Amabhubesi and Bloemfontein Celtic (33 points), who beat Bay United in midweek for survival, for a place in the top-flight league.
But Maritzburg United (35 points) have now been drawn back into the fight and a any win for our boys against the Team of Choice will keep them up, irrelevant of what happens in Celtic's final game at Free State Stars.
"Everything is in our hands now because a win tomorrow means we won‚t have to wait for results to come in from elsewhere," said Ngubane.
"We definitely will take confident from the result the other day. But what we have to be careful of is overconfidence. The guys know that they must keep their cool, especially knowing what is at stake for them."
A draw or loss in Hammarsdale, will mean that Thanda will have to play a relegation play-off.
Ngubane continued: "Survival is very important for Thanda, considering the amount of money that has been invested in the team. It is also crucial because of the number of teams from the province in the PSL. So it will be a big loss, but we're not even thinking about that. Everyone is concentrating fully on the game."
And the coach knows that playing against their city neighbours will not be easy.
He added: "We know they are always a dangerous team. They‚ve been scoring goal quite freely as you know. So I‚m sure what they‚ll do is come and try getting an early goal and then sitting back. If not, then maybe when the second half comes they will try and defend then and look for a draw. But if they do that, they‚ll be playing with fire because we‚ll be attacking tomorrow."
United will be missing a key player in John Arwuah.
However, coach Gordon Igesund is unhappy that has side has not yet guaranteed its league safety, but vowed to continue fighting.
He said: "We are disappointed to be going into the final game of the season in this situation, but when you take into account how we didn't have a pre-season and so many new players, it is an unbelievable effort for the guys to be just five points off a top eight place. But we will take the game to Thanda. They have to win and so will come at us and we need to try and hit them on the break."