‘We need to believe in ourselves again’

Free State Stars midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula (right) says their slow start to the season has been disappointing, but everyone in the team is doing their best to change that.

Ea Lla Koto looked promising in their opening game of the Absa Premiership when they beat Maritzburg United 2-1 at Goble Park, but their following results were disappointing, picking up just one point from their next four matches. Luc Eymael’s side did, however, pick up a second win of the season at home to Highlands Park this weekend.

“It has not been a good start at all, we are much better than that and we know it. We are a very good side and I think we showed that last season. We just need to start believing in ourselves once again to get the results we want,” said the midfielder.

“We dropped a lot of points and that might be a problem for us in the latter stages of the league. But we are not panicking and as I said, we have a very good squad and technical team to help us get to our best form.”

Makhaula believes Saturday’s win was just what they needed to bring back the confidence in the team ahead of their game with Baroka FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium tomorrow.

“It was a huge boost for us, we played for the result and we got it. We knew what we wanted to do and we went there and tried to execute the coach’s instructions in the game. We have another big game coming up on Wednesday and the focus is there now,” he added.

“We know playing Baroka is not easy, especially on their home ground. They are a very good side and are tough to come up against. But we believe in ourselves and we are going there to fight for one another in order to get maximum points.”

While Stars go into this game having won their previous league match, Baroka will be looking to get back to winning ways after their 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates on Saturday.