Letlapeng seeks to revive title ambitions

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Friday March 12, 2010 00:00

Letlapeng have fallen four points behind leaders, Black Peril and lie third. Coach, Enos Mmesi said they are cautious going into the encounter against Young Strikers. He said they cannot afford to drop more points at this stage as it might derail their title campaign. Young Strikers are desperate for points as they are trying to avoid the drop.

'This is one game you cannot take lightly. It will be suicidal for us to take them (Young Strikers) lightly just because they have not been doing well,' he said.

Mmesi does not expect his team to go off the rails at this stage because he has a number of experienced players who have been in similar situations before. 'All the players know what complacency could do to our campaign.

Players like Sox (Tshepiso Molwantwa) and Maniki Moalafi who was at Killer Giants last season know how it should be done at this stage. I expect them to be leaders at this stage and I am sure they would not disappoint me because they need promotion as much as I need it,' Mmesi said.

Letlapeng has dropped to position three behind Masitaoka on goal difference and are four points behind surprise leaders Black Peril.

'Right now I am trying to get my players focused on our games instead of worrying about how our competitors are doing. I have decided to approach every game like a final. This (Strikers) is the team that handed me my first loss in Ramotswa and I cannot afford to see that happening again,' Mmesi said.

Young Strikers' coach, Botshelo 'Observer' Pelokgosi said playing his former team does not bring any pressure.'We might be lowly-placed but we have not given up yet. I believe that the seven games left are enough for us to survive. We can still add more to the 12 points we have collected so far,' he said. Pelokgosi said he is aware of the challenge that lies ahead. He expects his opponents to come with guns blazing as they do not want to take their foot off the pedal at this crucial stage of the season.

'It will not be easy at all. They have set their sight on winning both the league and promotion to the Premier League but we also have something to achieve, we want to avoid relegation at all costs and this makes for a very interesting game,' he said.

In another game on Sunday, Prisons XI will try to revive their title aspirations when they meet top of the log, Black Peril at SSG Ground. Both games start at 4pm.