Stars target vital victory

Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

Free State Stars midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula (above) says a win against Orlando Pirates in their league clash at the James Motlatsi Stadium today will inject some confidence into the players in their bid to start collecting as many points as they can to get out of the relegation zone.

Ea Lla Koto are second from the bottom of the Absa Premiership with 19 points from 21 games.

“We don’t want to see ourselves having to fight for survival with few games remaining. I believe a win against Pirates will be a big morale boost because we haven’t been doing so well in our last couple of games in the league,” said the 27-year-old midfielder.

The Buccaneers haven’t been doing so great either – they are 11th with 23 points. However, Makhaula says they won’t take them for granted.

“We are not happy with our current position, I believe we can do better and so does everyone in the club. But we all know of the calibre of the team we are playing against.”

Stars are only six points away from the top eight spot occupied by Platinum Stars, and getting three points against the Buccaneers will see them jump to 12th place depending on the outcome of other results.

“We are only six points away from the top eight, that is obtainable,” Makhaula said. “The league is very tight, no one wants to lose matches in the second round because teams are fighting for survival, other teams are fighting to finish in the top eight and to win the league title.”

The clubs will meet again seven days later in the Nedbank Cup last-32 at the same venue.