Stars downplay their title chances

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 14: Hendrico Botes and Robert Ngambi of Stars celebrates his goal during the Nedbank Cup Quarter Final match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars from Loftus Stadium on April 14, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 14: Hendrico Botes and Robert Ngambi of Stars celebrates his goal during the Nedbank Cup Quarter Final match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars from Loftus Stadium on April 14, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Published Apr 19, 2013

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Johannesburg – While they are the form team among the three remaining title contenders, Platinum Stars are downplaying their chances of winning the Absa Premiership title this season.

Stars, lying second in the table, just four points behind front runners Kaizer Chiefs after three successive league wins, host bottom feeders Chippa United in Phokeng, outside Rustenburg, on Saturday.

Rejecting the notion that his side could lift the trophy, Stars player Benson Mhlongo insisted his team would be content with second. If Amakhosi slipped, however, he said they would pounce.

“Chiefs are ahead of us, that's a fact,” said Mhlongo.

“For us to catch up, they must lose which is something that is unlikely.

“I've got my number two in my pocket and I must hold onto it.

“It's up to Chiefs to slip up. What I've got is number two, and I'll try to keep this number two as long as I can.

“It's up to Chiefs if they want to open up the gap or give us a chance.”

While the Rustenburg side are on a solid run of form, Chiefs have collected just six points from their last four league outings.

Defending champions Orlando Pirates, two points further back in third place, are without a win in six successive league games.

Amakhosi are away to Moroka Swallows on Saturday, while Pirates are tied up in African Champions League action.

And while on paper they seem in with a real chance, Dikwena coach Cavan Johnson has drummed into his players the need to remain grounded, and dismissed any suggestion that his charges could finish top of the table at the end of season.

“We like where we are in the league and we've always said we should climb as high as we can and be in the top eight, if not in the top five,” Johnson said.

“It stays the same. We plod along week in, week out, as humble as we can be, and play the best football we can.”

Johnson said their impressive run of form was down to the fitness of his squad.

“We didn't do well in the beginning of the season because I knew my players weren't fit. Now I know my players are fit.”

Johnson agreed that they were not chasing the title, and only Chiefs could open the door for them.

“In our hands is to play the best football we can. As for the rest, Kaizer Chiefs have to give somewhere, and if they give, then we're in with a chance.

“Like I said before, I think Kaizer Chiefs have won the league.”

Weekend PSL fixtures

Saturday: University of Pretoria v Free State Stars (Tuks Stadium), Platinum Stars v Chippa United (Royal Bafokeng Stadium), Moroka Swallows v Kaizer Chiefs (Dobsonville Stadium), Ajax Cape Town v Bidvest Wits (Athlone Stadium).

Sunday: AmaZulu v Mamelodi Sundowns (Moses Mabhida Stadium), Bloemfontein Celtic v Golden Arrows (Free State Stadium). – Sapa

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