Marumo Gallants assistant coach Raymond Mdaka believes the defence could hold the key to their DStv Premiership survival as they prepare to host Chippa United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
Dylan Kerr has given Bahlabane Ba Ntwa renewed hope of avoiding the drop since taking over the reins from Dan Malesela, who was placed on special leave at the end of January after failing to turn the club's fortunes around.
Kerr guided Gallants to the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals for the first time and they finally climbed off the foot of the table courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs last Saturday.
The Limpopo outfit are now unbeaten in their last five league encounters, having picked up nine points out of a possible 15 during that run to move above Maritzburg United up to 15th place.
Mdaka revealed that a lot of work on the training ground has gone into solidifying their defence to give the team a better chance of winning games, with two clean sheets coming in their last five games.
"What we tried to work on in these kind of situations is to make sure that you don't concede easily," Mdaka said. "You look at the defence that is there, we still have [Olivier] Toure, who got a fourth booking and is not here, we still have Lehlonoholo [Nonyane].
"So we tried to solidify at the back so that we can take chances going forward. At most if you cannot concede, chances are you can win the game."
The threat of relegation is looming large for the Chilli Boys after a 2-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates saw them drop to 14th in the standings, just two points clear of their midweek opponents.
Chippa had taken two points from their previous two outings after playing out to successive 1-1 draws against Sekhukhune United and SuperSport United but they remain winless in six matches.
As a result, Kurt Lentjies has been demoted to the Diski Challenge Team, with Siyabulela Gwambi appointed as interim head coach for the remainder of the campaign.
Lentjies had overseen just four matches since replacing Morgan Mammila at the helm on February 18 and Gwambi has five games to keep the Eastern Cape club up.
"Chippa United Football Club would like to announce that Kurt Lentjies has been redeployed to head up our DStv Diski Challenge Team," a statement from the Chilli Boys read.
"Siyabulela Gwambi has been appointed interim coach for the remainder of the season. Gwambi has been a loyal servant of the club having acquired his CAF License A coaching credentials.
"Club chairman Siviwe Mpengesi has called upon all the Chilli Boys faithful to rally behind the coach and his charges as they look for positive results."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marumo Gallants
Ranga Chivaviro: The 30-year-old striker was caused opposition defences numerous problems this term with his physical presence and showed his strength against Chiefs when he shrugged Edmilson Dove off the ball inside the box on the right before beating Brandon Petersen from the tightest of angles. Its was Chivaviro's sixth goal in 15 league appearances and he has now rescued a point for Gallants in each of their last two games after also scoring the equaliser against Cape Town City.
Mpho Mvelase: The 34-year-old right-back has earned the trust of Kerr, featuring in every minute of the five games since the Brit's arrival at the club, having previously been left out of the squad during the first half of the season. Mvelase impressed down the right flank against Chiefs and nearly set up Chivaviro with a delightful cross in the second half before hitting the post with a header.
Chippa United
Etiosa Ighodaro: The 21-year-old Nigerian striker continues to enjoy a fine debut in the DStv Premiership and will have no shortage of suitors at the end of the season should Chippa get relegated. Ighodaro has scored eight goals in 20 top-flight outings and was denied his ninth against Pirates after forcing Sipho Chaine into a smart save with his powerful header in the second half.
Ronaldo Maarman: The 23-year-old attacking midfielder looked dangerous after being brought on at halftime against the Buccaneers, linking up well with Thabiso Lebitso on the right flank to create a chance for Ighodaro. Maarman has contributed three goals and four assists in 19 games and will be hoping for a recall to the starting line-up in midweek.