Four games that will decide their fate in PSL

27 April 2015 - 13:48 By KHANIYISO TSHWAKU
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Siyabonga Nomvethe of Swallows heads at goal during the Absa Premiership match between Moroka Swallows and Free State Stars at Dobsonville Stadium on March 11, 2015 in Dobsonville, South Africa.
Siyabonga Nomvethe of Swallows heads at goal during the Absa Premiership match between Moroka Swallows and Free State Stars at Dobsonville Stadium on March 11, 2015 in Dobsonville, South Africa.
Image: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images

With the title safely secured in Naturena, the squeaky-bum excitement that is normally reserved for title chasers has been transferred to basement dwellers AmaZulu, Moroka Swallows and Free State Stars.

Here is how each of the three teams, which play four games in 12 days, are plotting their survival in the top flight.

Themba Sithole (Free State Stars assistant coach) 14th on 28 points

Points target: AmaZulu can still get to 35 points. So out of the 12 points we are fighting for, we need to look at the points that are available.

We are fighting for 36 points, but if AmaZulu and Swallows win all their games, they will be on 36. The two games in hand we won were very important, but the pressure is still on.

Key games: We are playing teams that are almost safe, like Black Aces, Chippa United and Bloemfontein Celtic.

Plan to survive relegation: We have kept the boys focused and we decided to focus on one game at a time. Instead of focusing on eight or 10 games, we prepared for each game specifically as per the team we are facing.

Japhet Zwane (AmaZulu team manager) 15th on 23 points

Points target: We can say we have a target but if the other teams can win their games, we will need more points. We have four matches left and we will try to win them all.

Key games: Every game is important and we need to treat them as they come. We are almost five points off the pace because Free State Stars are five points ahead of us. We need to win two games without them winning before we even think of catching up with them.

Plan to survive relegation: Our plan has already started and we take one game as it comes and then we deal with the aftermath. Every game for us is like a final.

Sipho Xulu (Moroka Swallows general manager) 16th on 23 points

Points target: It is the maximum of 12 points that are available to us. We cannot afford to target anything less. Anything is possible; attaining that target will not be easy, but we do not have an option.

Key games: We are looking at all the games with the same eye. Our plan is to focus on individual games and move on to the next one without baggage.

Plan to survive relegation: There can't be other plans except for everyone collectively working together and putting their shoulders to the wheel. We plan to use whatever resources we have to accomplish our mission.

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