Platinum Stars going for Maritzburg's scalp

12 February 2016 - 03:05 By Khanyiso Tshwaku

With CAF club competitions in the centre stage this weekend, PSL's lesser lights have the country to themselves in what will be a crucial weekend for the mid-table teams.Platinum Stars are five points off the top four in fifth place, but a win at Maritzburg United tomorrow (Saturday) will leave them two points behind fourth-placed Kaizer Chiefs.Stars still have to face Chiefs to narrow that gap further or even overtake them, but coach Cavin Johnson won't look too far ahead.Dikwena have collected 30 points from 17 games, with eight wins and six draws. While they had a blip, they have only lost three matches.Johnson seems to be mindful of the fact that Maritzburg, who have eight points from 17 games, have been playing some decent football, but not getting the results.Ernst Middendorp's side fought their way back from 2-0 down to level the game before Lorenzo Gordinho's late header gave Chiefs a 3-2 win last week. Whether Maritzburg can play at the same intensity remains to be seen."You find that when teams play Chiefs they always want to beat the champions and tend to put in 110%. We are the same, but Maritzburg are a different team and we need to treat them accordingly."One thing you can expect is a very good fight. However, we've prepared our players to be mentally strong," Johnson said.Maritzburg will be keeping a sharp eye on Jomo Cosmos and Free State Stars in Potchefstroom tomorrow (Saturday).Cosmos have been better than Maritzburg but should they drop points the Team of Choice are only two wins away from 14th, despite their -19 goal difference.Free State Stars go into this game on the back of a humbling 5-2 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns at the James Motlatsi Stadium in Orkney...

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