BidVest Wits have slipped dangerously close to the relegation zone in the Absa Premiership, but with just two matches remaining, coach Roger de Sa is not going to push any panic buttons.
A win over the not so Clever Boys on Wednesday would confirm SuperSport United as the champions for the third successive season and their final match of the season away to AmaZulu in Durban would be academic.
United have a four point lead over challengers Mamelodi Sundowns going into their penultimate fixture.
Said De Sa: “In my opinion SuperSport have been by far the most consistent team over the past few seasons. Winning the title once is great, twice is fantastic but now they could win it a third time in a row and in my book that is simply a brilliant achievement.”
De Sa played down Wits fears of being dragged into the relegation/promotion playoffs with three national First Division sides.
Third-bottom Wits, on 29 points, are four points ahead of second from bottom Mpumalanga Black Aces who face Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus on Wednesday night and well clear of bottom club Jomo Cosmos who have 21 points with two matches remaining.
Aces beat Maritzburg 2-1 recently and drew 0-0 at the weekend against Bloemfontein Celtic at home to give the Witbank-based outfit hope of at least playing in the playoffs. But their final match is away to Ajax Cape Town.
Cosmos, with 19 goals for the season (the same as Aces) and a defence that has conceded 39 goals, are heading back to the NFD after one season in the top flight. The team finishing bottom of the 16-team Premiership is automatically relegated.
Said De Sa: “We will go out and enjoy playing against SuperSport. As for relegation I am not worried and not even thinking about the playoffs.
“That is Cosmos and Aces’ worries, not ours. Aces have two tough away matches left and I cannot see them getting maximum points.”
De Sa said while he was looking forward to the forthcoming cup competitions where he would blood in a few youngsters in an effort to gain experience, the Students would not roll over and lie down for United.
“We have not been at our best, but playing against a side who are heading for their third successive championship success is a motivator in itself.
“My players will benefit from the experience and we will make United work. It will not be an easy 90 minutes for them and they must not think they can pick up three easy points.”
De Sa said four players in the United side had stood out for him this season. They are goalkeeper Emille Baron, the two central defenders Bongani Khumalo, Morgan Gould, and striker Glen Salmon.
“Those four have been the cornerstone for United. They have really come to the party and produced the goods.” — Sapa