Johannesburg - Struggling Swallows FC are staring at the jaws of relegation from the Premiership if they are unable to master a way to turn their season around, and quickly.
The Dube Birds needed a stoppage time Wandisile Letlabika equaliser to rescue a point against Stellenbosch last time out, the kind of result that has little contribution to their overall ambitions of staying in the division.
Swallows have won just one of their last 15 games in the DStv premiership and just two the entire season. Coach Dylan Kerr’s troops are also one point above 15th-placed Baroka FC, who have a game in hand over them.
Swallows supporters may already have their calculators out as games start to run out.
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Normally, 29 points have been enough to guarantee any side’s safety in the last six campaigns. Swallows are currently on 15 points with 11 games remaining, three of which they play at home against relegation rivals, TS Galaxy, Baroka and Chippa United.
The Dobsonville-based club’s woes could largely be attributed to their lack of cutting edge in front of goal. Swallows have scored just 11 goals in 19 league matches, the lowest in the league.
The shortage of goals in the Swallows ranks may be closely linked to the form of star striker Ruzaigh Gamildien. After his failed move to Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs, the Cape Town-born man has been a shadow of his former self.
Confidence, speed and good finishing are terms usually associated with the Swallows number nine, his rich run of form of last season prompted a number of teams to come calling for the frontman’s signature, and later a call up to the national team, Bafana Bafana.
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Gamildien ended the previous campaign with 11 goals, seven of which came in the opening 10 matches, a stark contrast to his two strikes so far this season.
The visit of fellow relegation candidates TS Galaxy this weekend provides Kerr’s men with the perfect opportunity to mount a serious climb up the table.
Bottom-placed Galaxy themselves will be eyeing this relegation ‘six pointer’ and will be confident as it is an opportunity to complete the double over a direct rival.
Swallows have won just one of their last five encounters against The Rockets, the kind of dominance that stems all the way back from the GladAfrica Championship.