Bay United may still be down at the bottom of the Absa Premiership, but they are far from out.
That was the warning issued by Bay coach Khabo Zondo, as he prepares his side for another giant killing act when the Port Elizabeth-based Premier Soccer League outfit travel to Cape Town’s Athlone Stadium where they play Ajax Cape Town on Wednesday night. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
Bay have become title-chasing Mamelodi Sundowns’ hoodoo side after scoring a hat-trick of wins over the big-spending Brazilians this season, the latest when they clobbered Downs 2-0 at East London’s Absa Stadium on Sunday.
Bay defeated Downs twice in the first round of the league and in the Absa Cup earlier this season. Both matches were played at Downs’ home ground, the Super Stadium in Atteridgeville.
That win has given Bay more self belief and added confidence ahead of the fight to avoid the big drop back into the National First Division.
Said Zondo: ”What made this win special is the fact we beat a top class side with a quality coach. They are one of the big guns of the PSL and we have beaten them three times this season. This has done wonders for the players’ morale. They now know they can beat anybody in this league and we are not going to be afraid of any side we meet.”
Downs are coached by former French, Morocco and Ivory Coast national coach Henri Michel, and went into the match against Bay with five straight wins under their belts.
Bay are still bottom of the Premiership with 20 points, but are now only a point behind second-last Bloemfontein Celtic, two points behind 14th placed Maritzburg United and just three adrift of Thanda Royal Zulu.
Zondo deserves a lot of credit, but the modest Bay head coach praised his players and staff for their team work. But he still wants more out of his players in the remaining eight fixtures.
He has promised to take the game to Ajax.”I am looking to maintain a winning mentality. I will approach the game positive and go for an attacking formation. I realise Ajax area wounded tigers after losing to SuperSport United (2-0) at the weekend, but our confidence and self belief has been boosted by scoring three wins over Sundowns and go to Cape Town looking to collect another three points.”
Zondo said the relegation fight was far from over. ”We proved all the people who wrote us off wrong. We will fight to the end. It is not over until the final whistle of the season and the fat lady sings.”
Zondo’s men have again proved there is little difference between the top and bottom teams.
Said Zondo: ”The players attitude is good but we need to attack more and defend stronger. But we are getting there and taking it one game at a time.”
After Ajax, Bay travel to the Mpumalanga Stadium to play Thanda in what will be a six pointer for both sides.
”But,” said Zondo.” I am not thinking about Thanda. My priority is Ajax and after that game we will prepare for our trip to Durban.” — Sapa