Stellenbosch coach confident of a play-off spot

STELLENBOSCH FC tackle Pretoria University on their home field tomorrow in a National First Division match knowing that a positive outcome would strengthen their claims for a play-off spot.

The Cape side suffered a rare 2-1 away defeat on Wednesday at Mbombela United which dropped them to fourth on the standings.

Coach Sammy Troughton and his charges can re-energise their push for one of the two play-off spots up for grabs by taking down a rival who easily beat hosts Santos 2-0 in Cape Town three days ago.

“We’ve taken note of our opponents latest performance,” said Troughton. ““Obviously we didn’t do our cause any good against Mbombela, we were off-colour and paid the price. But we now face a fresh challenge, one I believe we can rise to and pass with flying colours.

“Our pre-season goal was to win promotion to the PSL, and nothing’s changed.”

Meanwhile, if you cry wolf once too often, people will stop believing you.

Now Santos have only themselves to blame for their current predicament.

The People’s team can’t buy a win, let alone pick up a point. Factor in that they’ve lost three straight games and you realise how tough a task it’s going to be for the former PSL club down the home straight of what can be best described as a miserable campaign. Another home tie awaits them tomorrow and a positive result over Real Kings FC at the Athlone Stadium is a non-negotiable.

As things stand, Santos are anchored at the foot of the First Division table and have only managed to bag a measly 18 points from 24 matches.

No joke, the oldest professional club in Cape Town is staring relega- tion firmly in the face – two teams face the chop, the other contenders being Magesi FC and FC Cape Town.

These two teams lock horns today and it could be the beginning of the end for one of them.

Both sides have hovered in and around the relegation zone for many weeks, and it’s bound to have repercussions so late on in the season.

Third-bottom Town have over the years flirted with danger and managed to hold onto their status, but this time round, based on recent results, could see a different scenario. Then again, a win at Magesi today, who are second bottom, would ease their plight considerably.

Milano United of Grassy Park are also in action taking on Mbombela at Athlone, while Cape Town All Stars face AmaZulu in Durban.