Maritzburg United coach Fadlu Davids says their heads are still “under water” in the relegation fight, but there is light after crucially beating Stellenbosch FC 1-0 at Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday.
Davids said he was impressed with how his side managed the game, something he spoke about as their Achilles heel this season to have scored first and then allowed oppositions to get back in the game.
This after Maritzburg had led twice against relegation rivals Marumo Gallants last Wednesday but it was wiped off when they conceded late in the game instead of closing it off.
It was not the case against a speedy and dangerous Stellies at Harry Gwala Stadium after Amadou Soukouna had scored in the 40 minutes.
This time, Maritzburg was able to close off the big win that has seen them level on 29 points with 15th-placed Chippa United, who were crushed 4-0 by TS Galaxy also on Saturday.
The goal difference between the two struggling sides has now shrunk to just one goal, but still in favour of Chippa.
“I think the most pleasing thing, we learnt from our mistakes, conceding in the last minute,” said Davids after the game.
“I’m talking about critical phases, dropping deep rather than pressing high. The second half it was so easy to say we have the points [and let’s secure them]. If you look at the live log, we moved up and we said let’s defend the goal, and that is not what we did.
“Yes, in the last minutes they threw everything, we managed to keep it tight. I’m really pleased for the players, pleased for the city, pleased for Maritzburg United, the chairman [Farook Kadodia], everyone that we still have hope and belief on what we have to build on the players after conceding in the last second against Marumo Gallants.”
Maritzburg, to survive, have to beat or draw with Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday, but it has left them disadvantaged as they will play days before other rivals teams play, which will give those teams such as Chippa and Gallants an advantage, as they will know what they have to do on Saturday’s last game of the season.
The KZN club wants the games to be played simultaneously, but this game was brought forward as Sundowns will host Wydad Athletic Club in the second leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final on Saturday instead of the league.
Davids’ though insisted his side will fight for the last second, as they can still see the light, even though they are close to drowning.
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“It was building that hope, building that belief. Our head is under water, but we see the light, we suddenly get closer to the edge,” he added.
“But we gotta get out of the water and in the last game against Sundowns that is what we will do.”
