Mere: Stars are no longer a small team

Johannesburg - Platinum Stars skipper Vuyo Mere has urged his team-mates to start believing that they are no longer a ‘small team’ and to start challenging the ‘big teams’ for top accolades in the PSL.

Mere was speaking following Stars' 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates on Tuesday night, when they came from behind to snatch a point in the last minute of the game at Orlando Stadium.

Mere, 32, said Dikwena have reached their goal of playing in the CAF Confederations Cup, courtesy of finishing third last season, but they want to surpass that achievement by challenging for the league title.

“Platinum Stars are no longer a small team and we have to start thinking like that in order to challenge big teams,” Mere said.

“The plan now is to surpass our achievement from last season and finish on top of the log.

“We finished third last season, our mission was to play in the CAF Confederations Cup and we have achieved that.”

The Bloemfontein-born fullback urged his team-mates to be consistent throughout.

Mere hinted that most teams get fatigued after the interval and the North West Tycoons must start capitalising on that.

“We are playing well and creating a lot of chances.

“But I feel that we don’t kill our opponents off because most teams get tired in the second half.

“But we always back off because we think it’s automatic that our first half performance would follow.

“I think we should start trying and capitalise on that instead of backing off.”