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Cape Town - Maritzburg United coach Steve Komphela will accept nothing less than a victory when his club plays against Moroka Swallows in the Absa Premiership.
Read: Swallows not eying Kaindu
The Team of Choice has been defeated just twice this season, and both of those defeats were recorded away from home. The Harry Gwala Stadium has become a fortress for the club this term and Komphela wants his players to maintain the status quo this week.
Swallows are a team in distress this season, as they have recorded just three wins during this year’s campaign. The Dube Birds are currently in the relegation zone and there have been no recent indications that they will be able to emerge from the situation unscathed. Komphela wants to exploit that.
"From a mental point of view, it might work for us, depending how Swallows handle the loss to Tuks," Komphela told the club’s website.
"If you suffer a defeat from 2-0 up, it’s depressing and I believe that in terms of log standings they will not have much confidence.
"However, it might also be a springboard for them. Make no mistake they have lots of individual quality players. So we can’t go there thinking they are bottom of the log, they have lost a match.
"It’s going to be difficult, but we have to look at ourselves and say let us perform the way we have been for the last 11 matches, and also be wary of the opponent," added Komphela.
Maritzburg United have produced inspired football this season and still occupy one of the CAF spots, following the more than satisfactory 0-0 draw against Ajax Cape Town during round eleven of the season.
Komphela said his players needed to build on the platform created this season, adding that there was absolutely no room for complacency under the current circumstances.
"From a defensive point of view we are organized well, we try as much as possible to protect our goalkeeper.
"Each individual’s role and responsibility gets clearly defined. And the other part of it is the manner in which we play we try and defend with the ball, we use the ball wisely which sets us on for attack.
"While attacking we are quite aware of the next moment, so we cover the field well. But we are aware that upon loss of position we should still be in a position to defend and this has helped us," added the Mariztburg United mentor.
Kick-off is at 19:30.
