Stars must eclipse Cosmos

Defeat to Jomo’s men not an option for relegation-threatened Dikwena

PLATINUM Stars are edging dangerously close to losing their PSL status and could find themselves in a perilous position if they fail to beat Jomo Cosmos in their promotionrelegation playoff clash at Rustenburg’s Moruleng Stadium tonight.

Dikwena must beat Ezenkosi to stay alive in this mini-contest after losing their opening match to Black Leopards last week. Goalkeeper Dino Visser said they would approach the match as if their lives depended on winning it.

“We are happy that Leopards and Cosmos played to a draw at the weekend as it means our fate is still in our hands‚” he said as Stars prepared to host Cosmos.

“But we have to win our remaining three matches to stay in contention. In a competition like this‚ no game is less important.”

Asked whether defeat to Cosmos could end their chances of saving the club from relegation‚ Visser said they were not thinking about the drop right now, because anything could still happen.

“We have to stay focused on the job at hand, which is to be ready to take on Cos- mos. It is difficult to say whether defeat [by] Cosmos will be the end of the road for us, because anything can still happen in the coming few weeks‚” he said.

The quick turnaround of matches was a tough strain.

“Fortunately, we have an experienced technical team [who] have structured our training sessions [so] we don’t burn out.

“You must remember that we have just been through a long season. It is important to have some rest in between these playoff matches.”

Visiting captain Thato Lingwati said they would have to put up an improved performance after the stalemate against Leopards at the weekend if they are to register their first win. “We were too naive in our approach [to] Leopards and gave them too much respect‚” he said.

“Knowing how dangerous they are‚ I think we gave too much away in the middle of the pack and allowed them to come at us.

“If we are serious about winning the playoffs‚ we need to up our game and play like the real Cosmos in the next matches.”

Cosmos will be without midfield enforcer Mduduzi Sibeko after he received his fourth booking in their last match.

Sicelo Mkhize will have to pass a late fitness test after an ankle injury and Cosmos coach Jomo Sono will be crossing his fingers that he recovers in time to play in the match.