SuperSport United interim coach Andre Arendse has warned his charges from committing mistakes in their last opportunity to avoid the promotion/relegation playoffs.
Matsatsantsa lost 2-0 to Richards Bay at the weekend to drop into 15th place with 26 points, a point behind Cape Town City who drew 0-0 with Stellenbosch FC in their last game of the season.
- ALSO READ: Arendse Confident Of Playoff Survival Despite Pirates Loss
- Arendse Banks On Return Of U20 AFCON-Winning Star
However, Arendse side’s still have a chance to avoid the playoffs going into the last 45 minutes in a game that was suspended in February due to bad light against Golden Arrows. The sides were level at 1-1 when the match was abandoned courtesy of Christian Saile and Velemseni Ndwandwe’s strikes.
A draw or win would see Arendse’s side rise to 14th place and leapfrog City, thus avoiding the playoffs and pushing the Citizens into 15th to fight for top-flight survival and the AFCON-winning ex-goalkeeper cautioned against certain elements.
“So, there’s a couple of elements that we’ve got to think about going to that game,” said Arendse.
“We go into only one half. We go into it with already one point which is more or less what we need for example. So, we have to go into the game with that mind-set, but at the same time, we cannot afford to be on the back foot. So, we cannot afford to close up shop because then we are going to invite unnecessary pressure, and when you do that, you are prone to mistakes.
“We cannot afford one single mistake in that half of football that’s to come. As it stands, we don’t so much need to win it, but I believe we can win it and more so technical and tactical ability going into that game I think big match temperament. That’s what it is.
“I’m looking for big heart, big match temperament, because for me right now at this stage of the season and there’s one half of a game to go, you need players you’re going to step up big with match temperament and better and then we’ll need to find who those players are in the next couple of days.”
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.
