KZN clubs the eliminators
Arrows, Maritzburg may have a say as to who falters in title race
IF THE Absa Premiership title dash is proving too nervy for some followers, Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United could simplify it into a three-way race by tomorrow afternoon.
After the latest round of midweek action, SuperSport United and new Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter will be virtual spectators for the rest of the competition.
Bidvest Wits’ victory over Orlando Pirates on Thursday means Baxter’s side has only a mathematical chance of taking the title.
Fifth-placed SuperSport will need to win their matches and hope the front runners drop points in order to lift the championship on goal difference.
If Kaizer Chiefs are not careful against Golden Arrows tonight, then they, too, will end up as spectators over the final stretch.
Defeat for the Amakhosi at the FNB Stadium, and victory for Wits against Maritzburg United tomorrow, will kill offChiefs’ chances of glory.
If the Clever Boys draw against Maritzburg, it will reduce Chiefs’ chance to a massive long shot if they fail against Abafana Bes’thende.
They’ll meet a fired up Arrows team, because the Durban side is desperate to earn a top eight finish. Arrows are ninth, behind Pirates on goal difference, and four points adrift of Maritzburg in seventh place.
Despite heading to Joburg after a 2-0 home loss to defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Arrows coach Clinton Larsen is upbeat.
“There were so many positives to take out of that match. We limited Sundowns to few scoring opportunities and, until their second goal, we were well in it. We have to keep playing like that against Chiefs.
“I keep on saying that the priority is to finish in the top eight. This opportunity still presents itself, so we have everything to fight for,” said Larsen.
Chiefs haven’t won in their last three league and cup assignments, but midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala has been in imperious form, while Gustavo Paez continues to stamp his credentials as a top striker.
Maritzburg are leaving nothing to chance in their bid to seal a top eight finish for the second time in their history. Interim coach Fadlu Davids was in Joburg for a close-up view of Wits during their 1-0 win over Pirates.
The Midlands outfit are targeting a fourth win on the trot, although Davids concedes they meet the potential champions.
“Wits are championship material. They are a quality side. They believe the league is there for the taking, so they will do everything not to let it slip.
“We go into this game as underdogs and it’s going to be a difficult game for us,” he said.
The Team of Choice disturbed Cape Town City’s title charge with a 1-0 upset win earlier this week, a result that mathematically removed them from the relegation equation.
Having avoided relegation on the final day last season, Maritzburg are happy with this turnaround. Even a point will be good enough to keep them in the top eight mix.
In the First Division, there are four matches today and four tomorrow, with the race for play-off positions in the spotlight after Thanda Royal Zulu lifted the championship in midweek.
Among key clashes today, second-placed Black Leopards host third-bottom Magesi, and third-placed Stellenbosch tackle Real Kings.
AmaZulu will expect to beat relegation candidates Santos in KwaMashu tomorrow to stay in the hunt for the play-offs, together with Royal Eagles who visit Jomo Cosmos.