In a crucial showdown, Kaizer Chiefs will battle for supremacy while the University of Pretoria will fight for survival and Mamelodi Sundowns will pray for favour.
Though Sundowns won’t be taking part, they will be crossing their fingers that AmaTuks can be a banana skin for Chiefs when the two sides square off at the Tuks Stadium in Pretoria (7.30 kick-off).
Chiefs, who are at the summit of the league with 57 points, are en route to winning the title and only need nine points to secure the Absa Premiership trophy.
Sundowns, who are trailing Chiefs by 10 points, have an outside chance of snatching it away from them but need favours from other teams to derail Amakhosi.
Tuks coach Sammy Troughton is determined to guide Tuks to victory but doesn’t see the league title slithering from Chiefs’ gasp.
He says only a miracle can stop Stuart Baxter’s men from romping to the coveted trophy.
“It would be a big surprise if Sundowns catch Chiefs at this stage. Chiefs are a very experienced team. For them to slip up in three games is almost impossible.
“I would like to see Tuks at least try and change things by upsetting them tonight. Maybe it may give Sundowns hope. From a professional point of view, it will take a miracle. Miracles do happen but I have my money on Chiefs to lift the title,” said Troughton.
The former Sundowns player says his men will be out to do themselves a favour as they are desperate for points to stay clear of the relegation zone. Though Tuks are 10th with 30 points, Troughton feels they could potentially be in trouble.
“We are not going there to hold back against Chiefs. We have got to be brave.
“We have got to give them problems and win the game. We must stay away from the dark side of the bottom of the table. We don’t want to be drawn into relegation problems.
“We are not clear yet but we need a minimum of six points. We are going to take it one game at a time.
“Until we are mathematically safe from relegation, we will not celebrate. There’s work to be done,” said the former Mpumalanga Black Aces coach.
With the league title not far off, Chiefs players are set to be psyched up when they play at the Tuks Stadium for the first time. Troughton is expecting Baxter’s side to charge at them with everything they have.
“Chiefs want to win games. They don’t want any slip up. They will be coming all out,” said Troughton.
Tuks have not been doing well in recent matches. In their last three outings, they have lost twice and drawn once.
Troughton says his attackers Geofrey Massa, Atusaye Nyondo, Thabo Mnyamane, Thabo Mosadi and Denver Mukamba have to step up in order to see off the challenge of Chiefs.
Troughton says Tuks will attack Chiefs throughout the 90 minutes.
“We are going to have to play well. We need our players to come to the party. We have got to be clever in our play. We have got to perform to the best of our ability if we want to get something because Chiefs are a quality side.
“That’s why they are top of the league,” said Troughton.
“We have got to go for a win and hopefully it will come. I can’t change the team and put in defensive players. They have got to come the party.
“We are not going to sit back and defend. We need goals. We have to get forward and we have to be brave and attack. Sitting back is not the way to approach the game.
“We need to do the business. We can’t sit back.” - The Star