Tough times ahead for United and RAM
JERRY BARNES
Although it may look like an impossible task, two Pietermaritzburg teams — Royal AM (DSTv Premiership) and Maritzburg United (Motsepe Foundation ChampionshipNFD) — remain positive that they can improve their positions.
United, the much-loved Team of Choice, is only left with two fixtures to wrap up their current campaign in the tightly-contested NFD. Tomorrow they host North West side Platinum Rovers at Clermont’s Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium at 3 pm.
The Team of Choice’s chairperson, Farook Kadodia, said the situation in the NFD is very competitive, especially in the top five, and anything can happen. He also indicated that at this stage of the campaign, with only two games left to make it to the play-offs, it is still possible. But the final outcome is out of their control.
According to Kadodia, their next two games are must-wins and they just need to play it safe on their side.
“Our task is just to make sure that we win our two games left in order to play it safe, but I must also point out to you that it is not in our hands now and we really hope for divine intervention here ,” he said.
On Sunday, May 19, the Team of Choice will travel to the Soshanguve Giant Stadium to face JDR Stars,
Royal AM genral manager Richard Makhoba (left, stripes shirt) and Maritzburg United head coach Simo Dladlala are desperate for positive results this weekend. and this will be their final game of the current season. United’s head coach, Simo Dladla, agreed with Kadodia about their situation.
“We need to win [both our remaining] games and also hope that the teams above us drop points, which is possible. The likes of Baroka
FC, JDR Stars and even University of Pretoria can still play a draw or even lose their games. We are definitely likely to squeeze in and qualify for the play-offs but, as we indicated, it depends on the other teams above us,” he said.
Meanwhile, another Pietermaritzburg-based
side campaigning in the elite league, RAM, are also facing an uphill battle as they try their best to move away from the relegation zone and make it into the top eight of the standings. What makes their situation worse is that their next fixtures are not only difficult, but the schedule is also very demanding.
Today RAM is visiting recently-crowned DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Pretoria. They will have to contend with them again on Tuesday at Harry Gwala Stadium.
Kickoff is at 7.30 pm.
On May 18 Thwihli Thwahla will host Chippa United at 3 pm and on May 25, the Pietermaritzburg-based team will face Moroka Swallows at Soweto’s Dobsonville.
RAM’s general manager, Richard Makhoba, said it is understandable that the fixtures are looking challenging and congested because the end of the season is not far off, but urged their followers not to worry because the team are going nowhere near the relegation zone and will safely make the top eight.
“We are not even thinking about relegation, it’s not even in our vocabulary; we aren’t pressing any panic buttons and we will be in the top eight before the end of the season,” said Makhoba.