Johannesburg – Black Leopards skipper Harry Nyirenda is confident his team will collect maximum points when they host Moroka Swallows in their final National First Division promotion/relegation fixture at Thohoyandou Stadium today.
The Malawian international insists that home-ground advantage will come into play as they are a pretty difficult side to beat in Limpopo.
“The players know we have to give 110 percent when we play at home,” said Nyirenda.
“We make things difficult for our opponents, and with our supporters behind us, it is a morale-booster.”
Having lost 2-0 to Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium a week ago, Nyirenda says they are prepared this time around and will not let their chances of promotion to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) slip away.
“It was difficult when we played them in Soweto, but we have learnt from that loss.
“This is our chance to go to the top (of the three-team mini league).
“We want to compete in the top league. We have the players who can do the job and today we simply have to go all-out for victory.”
Swallows, on the other hand, need maximum points if they want to stay in the hunt to retain their PSL status.
A loss for Craig Rosslee’s side would mean the Dube Birds would compete in South Africa’s second-tier league next season.
Last Sunday’s 4-1 hammering by Jomo Cosmos has placed the Soweto team under pressure to win all their remaining games.
Leopards are placed second in the mini-league play-off table, having played three games and collected four points.
Cosmos are at the top of the standings with the same number of points, but with a better goal difference.
Swallows occupy the last spot, having collected three points, but they have two more games to play.
As matters stand, Leopards and Cosmos appear to have a better chance of finishing at the top should they win their remaining games. It could all boil down to the number of goals scored to determine who will play in the elite league.
Going into this clash, Nyirenda and company will have to play it tight at the back, with the skipper hoping his team turn possession into enough goals to take them to the top of the table. – The Sunday Independent