Three duel for a Play-off spot
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday April 10, 2015 12:24
The encounter could determine which team will meet a team from the First Division North in the promotional play-offs. Kickoff is at 4pm. Actually, it is do or die for three teams: Santos, Black Forest and Fighters.
They will be emptying their respective arsenals this weekend in a last ditch attempt at wresting the single spot at the play-offs, the climax of the end of the First Division League season.
Santos go into the game with 38 points in the bag. Forest, on the other hand, sit poised at position two for a chance to leap into the coveted spot and claim the crown.
Fighters have accumulated 36 points and find themselves at number three. They have the same number of points as Forest that have a superior goal difference. Forest cross swords with Rolling Boys on the same day. Granted, a draw will not be good enough for both Santos and Fighters if Forest win against Rolling Boys.
A victory with any score line will take Forest to second position if Fighters and Santos play to a draw since Forest have a better goal difference than their competitors. Fighters made their life difficult when they dropped two points last weekend against Lesirane FC in the Mogoditshane derby. Santos, on the other hand, beat Prisons XI a fortnight ago.
Fighters’ coach, Mpho Mabogo declared that they expected a tough duel against Santos, but that the mood in the camp is high. “You can prepare players as much as you can only to be disappointed on the match day.
The game needs tactical thinking by the coaches and excellent performance by the players. “We should not put players under pressure and they should be allowed to play their own game,” he said. He said their problem has been that they are not converting chances into goals. Santos’ coach, Innocent Ranku said his charges are aware of the importance of the game. He stated that stakes will be high and nothing should be taken for granted.
He said though Santos have a bad record against Fighters, even during their days in the Premier League that will not count on Saturday. Meanwhile, Boys spokesperson, Tshiamo Marekwa said they are going all out to spoil Forest’s party with an emphatic win.
He explained that the idea is to finish the league in a respectable position. Boys currently occupy the ninth spot with 26 points. He acknowledged the “nightmarish campaign” for them this season, but was optimistic to promise they will redeem themselves next season.