Rockets eyeing Gallants scalp in relegation scrap

TS Galaxy will be looking to capitalise on Marumo Gallants' recent patchy form when they clash at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday in the DStv Premiership.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

The Rockets are by no means safe in the battle to avoid relegation as they sit just two points clear of 15th-placed Swallows (24) with two matches left to play.

Sead Ramovic's side gave themselves hope of beating the drop after going four games unbeaten in the league before losing 2-0 to Cape Town City last Saturday.

Ramovic admits Galaxy were made to pay for their mistakes against the Citizens, but feels there were positives to take into the next encounter.

"We have two more games, we have everything in our hands. We should forget the game as quickly as we can," the German tactician said.

"We should take the good things out of it and we will work to prepare for Gallants because we need every point. We have a lot of self-belief going into the game."

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have seen their prospects of a top-eight finish drift away after going seven matches without a win in the top flight.

Dan Malesela's team had made an impressive start to 2022 by winning their opening three games of the new year, but they have picked up just four points out of a possible 21 since then to find themselves five points shy of the top half of the table in 11th position.

However, Malesela believes their season can still be viewed as a success as Gallants have secured their DStv Premiership status and still have shot at silverware when they face Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final.

"We have to travel to Galaxy and see what we can get out of it. My worry is that the chances of the top eight are beginning to slip up," Malesela said.

"Maybe we shouldn't be selfish, we've got the Nedbank Cup to play for and we've gotten ourselves out of relegation so maybe we shouldn't be too hard on ourselves.

"I know the people here want to achieve and we all want to achieve, but we should try to be patient and say we still have something to play for this season."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

TS Galaxy

Pogiso Sanoka: Ramovic will be relying on the experience of the 29-year-old defender to help cut down on their mistakes at the back. Sanoka has made 20 appearances this season - all starts - and scored his first goal for the club against Royal AM back in September.

Augustine Kwem: Goals have been a problem for the Rockets this term as they are amongst the league's lowest scorers with 21. Kwem has contributed just three of those, although he spent much of the first half of the campaign on the sidelines though injury. The Nigerian striker's most recent goal came in the 1-1 draw against Maritzburg United.

Marumo Gallants

Phillip Ndlondlo: Gallants' dip in form has coincided with Ndlondlo's barren spell in front of goal. The 26-year-old midfielder hit a purple patch at the start of the year when he scored five times in just three outings, although he has failed to add to his tally of seven goals in his next six appearances.

Washington Arubi: The Zimbabwean could be key to them getting the points needed to break into the top half of the table with two fixtures remaining. Arubi has kept eight clean sheets in 20 appearances and another one could be on the cards this weekend with Galaxy struggling for goals.