Matlaba confident of top eight finish
Orlando Pirates defender Thabo Matlaba is positive that the team will finish in the top eight at the end of the season.
Thabo Matlaba (Chris Ricco/BackpagePix)
The Buccaneers have dropped six points in the last two games against Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns, which saw them drop to 10th spot on the log.
“Honestly, we are not feeling well as players to have lost two crucial games in a row, and I feel sorry for our die-hard supporters who have been disappointed by the team’s defeats,” Matlaba told Vodacom soccer.
“But we still have three league games to play with nine points to fight for, and I strongly believe that we still have what it takes to secure a top-eight finish come the end of the season.”
Their league campaign is, however, different to that of their Nedbank Cup run, where they managed to get into the semifinals of the competition, giving the club’s supporters hope of redeeming their league form with silverware in the Cup competition.
Nonetheless, the club is facing a difficult task in their quest to finish in the top half of the log with only three fixtures left.
Matlaba added that it was important for the Buccaneers to get points, starting with Bloemfontein Celtic at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday.
“Yes, we are left with three tough games, but we have no choice but to come out with vital points in these games. We are expecting a tough game from Celtic. They beat us in the first round, and we beat them in the Nedbank Cup, so we expect a tough game from them.”
