Desperate Stars dangle cash carrot

It could be termed the last throw of the dice, with relegation-threatened Platinum Stars tottering at the bottom of the Premier League log, a hefty seven points below 15th-placed Ajax Cape Town.

But the decision to offer players a R10 000 winning bonus in their remaining seven games is no gambler’s whim. It is rather a calculated attempt from the consortium led by Rawat Petroleum to save the R22-million plus investment to purchase Stars from Royal Bafokeng Holdings.

It was, however, something of a dicey deal in the first place, with Stars already in the relegation mire at the time, although it could be argued the sale price was of a bargain buy in the context of Premier League status, should relegation be warded off by hook or crook – or the R10 000 bonuses.

It’s another matter, nevertheless, whether the extra money will have the desired effect of galvanising players to greater heights after everything else – including a succession of excruciating bad luck twists resulting in several narrow defeats – have failed to do the job.

Stars coach Roger de Sa (left), who is intimately involved in the club’s change of ownership, both on and off the pitch, believes “it can make a difference and the promise of a hefty cheque can often give players that little bit extra motivation.”

But De Sa also emphasises that the loss of Premier League status by Stars would be a major blow for the PSL, with the North West hotbed of soccer deprived of any participation in the Premier League.

“And it would be doubly unfortunate,” adds the coach-cum-administrator, “with such ideal facilities as the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.”