Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler believes the last nine matches of the DStv Premiership season will come with lots of pressure and stress for different reasons.
The Citizens are in eighth position in the DStv Premiership after 21 matches.
Coming from two straight wins against Swallows and Sekhukhune, they travel to Harry Gwala on Saturday for a battle with Maritzburg United.
City still has ambitions of securing one of the CAF inter-club competitions and sits five points below the Confederations Cup spot currently occupied by Orlando Pirates.
There is also only a three points difference between them and nine-placed Stellenbosch.
ERIC TINKLER RECKONS LAST DSTV PREMIERSHIP MATCHES WILL BE INTERESTING
For you guys [it will be an interesting finish to the league] not for us as coaches,” said Tinkler.
“Obviously the win against Sekhukhune distances us from those at the bottom. The first target is always to hit that 30-point mark as quickly as possible, which we are only a point away from now.
Cape Town City players having a chat before a DStv Premiership clash
“From there it’s onward and upwards but if you asked me this question before the previous game. I would say yes, a lot of pressure and stress,” h said.
“But you see what two wins can do; you can shoot up the table. What’s important now is that we don’t relax; we keep pushing, and keep working hard. We have another tough encounter against Maritzburg.
TWO CLEAN SHEETS IMPORTANT FOR THE CITIZENS
Tinkler was also pleased with his team’s ability to keep a second clean sheet in a row.
“Last season I think we went 14 clean sheets and that’s why we ended up where we needed to be. So, it’s about getting back to those principles.
“I saw a little bit of us last season [during the match against Sekhukhune]. In some of the games you have to go and win them ugly by ensuring that you keep a clean sheet.”