Davids targets Gallants as relegation becomes ‘three horse race’

The only way Maritzburg United can survive relegation now is if they beat Marumo Gallants in their next game, coach Fadlu Davids has admitted. 

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The Blue Hearts suffered a bad defeat to Swallows on Thursday night, leaving them stuck at the bottom of the DStv Premiership standings.

And while relegation mathematically remains a reality for at least seven of the 16 teams, Davids believes it has become a three horse race. 

Davids believes the race for survival is now between his team, Gallants and Chippa United who lost to Kaizer Chiefs on the same day. 

“We can’t drop our heads. There are still nine points to play for in the last three matches,” said Davids in the post-match interview at Dobsonville Stadium.

Maritzburg will host Gallants at Harry Gwala on Wednesday. 

Davids not giving up yet

Gallants are two places and three points above Maritzburg with three games to the end.

“ And now it changes the race to three teams. We will play Marumo Gallants next. 

“We need to get three points to put us equal with them and fight in the last two matches. 

“It is unfortunate for the players after what they put in. But when things are not going for you, you concede goals like this,” added Davids. 

Maritzburg will continue fighting and Davids believes that lady luck will eventually smile upon them.

“We have to continue because if we keep at it, it is going to fall for us. The luck will change because it cannot be all the time that luck goes against you. 

“We have a big game against Marumo… And we have to go for the three points – that’s what it is,” said Davids. 

“I think once the game starts, all form goes out the window. It is about how we perform on the day. 

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“Things have not been going for us. But we can’t take that mentality to the game. We have to start with a fresh attitude and go for the three points.”

After Gallants, Maritzburg will play Stellenbosch and finish the season off with an away game to champions elect, Mamelodi Sundowns.