After getting their PSL promotion playoffs off to a perfect start with a 1-0 victory over Baroka at Tuks Stadium on Sunday, University of Pretoria coach Tlisane Motaung expects Richards Bay to give them a big test when they meet at King Zwelithini Stadium tomorrow (3pm).
Tuks are at the summit of the Mini-League table with three points from one match. “Mentally, Richards Bay are going to be a difficult team simply because if you look at the number of games they played, the mentality was switched on for a playoff spot,” Motaung explained to the media during the post-match press conference on Sunday.
“They are a team ready for this stage. They didn't want to get automatic relegation. They wanted to give themselves a chance in the playoffs.
“Mentally, it tells you that they are ready for what is coming. They have players like Sanele Barns who decide matches. We have to pay too much attention to them.”
After missing out in the promotion playoffs two years ago when they lost to Moroka Swallows on the final day, Motaung said there are lessons learnt from that and one of them is to win their home matches.
“Planning from the previous playoffs, one thing that was bothering me is that in the previous editions, we didn't win the match at home,” he said.
“We wanted to rectify that to make sure out of the two matches, we win those home games. Even if you win one and go away and fight in those matches. And from there, be in the position where you can be in a driving seat.
“Fortunately, we got it today. We are going [to play] away and we are going to try to fight even though we know it is going to be a difficult match.
“Two, let's make sure that we don't concede. If we don't concede, we don't lose a match. Previously, we failed ourselves at home where we didn't win.”
AmaTuks gunning for Bay in 'real' promotion playoffs test
Motaung warns of the dangers of Sanele Barns
Image: Shaun Roy
After getting their PSL promotion playoffs off to a perfect start with a 1-0 victory over Baroka at Tuks Stadium on Sunday, University of Pretoria coach Tlisane Motaung expects Richards Bay to give them a big test when they meet at King Zwelithini Stadium tomorrow (3pm).
Tuks are at the summit of the Mini-League table with three points from one match. “Mentally, Richards Bay are going to be a difficult team simply because if you look at the number of games they played, the mentality was switched on for a playoff spot,” Motaung explained to the media during the post-match press conference on Sunday.
“They are a team ready for this stage. They didn't want to get automatic relegation. They wanted to give themselves a chance in the playoffs.
“Mentally, it tells you that they are ready for what is coming. They have players like Sanele Barns who decide matches. We have to pay too much attention to them.”
After missing out in the promotion playoffs two years ago when they lost to Moroka Swallows on the final day, Motaung said there are lessons learnt from that and one of them is to win their home matches.
“Planning from the previous playoffs, one thing that was bothering me is that in the previous editions, we didn't win the match at home,” he said.
“We wanted to rectify that to make sure out of the two matches, we win those home games. Even if you win one and go away and fight in those matches. And from there, be in the position where you can be in a driving seat.
“Fortunately, we got it today. We are going [to play] away and we are going to try to fight even though we know it is going to be a difficult match.
“Two, let's make sure that we don't concede. If we don't concede, we don't lose a match. Previously, we failed ourselves at home where we didn't win.”
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