Galaxy determined to bounce back against Royal AM

TS Galaxy head coach Sead Ramovic is convinced they will recover from their latest setback by returning to winning ways against Royal AM at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

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

The Rockets slumped to a second successive defeat in the DStv Premiership when they lost 2-0 to SuperSport United at the TUT Stadium on April 7, which came on the back of a 2-1 reverse at home to Maritzburg United five days earlier.

Ramovic's side had embarked on a five-game unbeaten run prior to that to climb into the top half of the table, although they find themselves two points outside the top eight in 10th position after slipping up against Matsatsantsa and the Team of Choice.

However, Ramovic is backing his players to give the perfect response this weekend as they chase qualification for the MTN 8 in the final month of the season.

"We showed many times that we can bounce back after a setback and I have absolutely no doubt we will again bounce back," the German said. "We have five more games, 15 more points to get so all in all everything is still in the game.

"We just have to stay calm, work hard... but we believe in ourselves and I am absolutely sure that we will get something out of it [our next home game] and try until the end of the season to be in a top-eight spot."

Thwihli Thwahla leapfrogged Galaxy and Richards Bay into eighth place courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Stellenbosch at the Chatsworth Stadium on April 9.

It was their first win in three games after suffering back-to-back defeats against Mamelodi Sundowns (5-1) and Marumo Gallants (3-1) either side of the international break.

Royal AM head coach John Maduka now only has the league to focus on after being eliminated by Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals last weekend and he is determined to finish as high as possible in the standings, with MTN 8 the target.

"The focus is on the league, it's five games to go and we must try to work hard and give it our best and finish in a better position," Maduka said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sphiwe Mahlangu: The 28-year-old winger looked lively against SuperSport and was perhaps unfortunate not to get his name on the scoresheet when he stuck the base of the right post with a curling shot from an angle on the left on the hour mark. Mahlangu had earlier wasted a good chance as he fired wide from the edge of the box after being set up by Djakaridja Traore.

Given Msimango: The 25-year-old centre-back will be targeting an improved performance this weekend after he was guilty of slack defending against Matsatsantsa, although Vasilije Kolak came to his rescue with a superb save to prevent the opposition from capitalising on one of those mistakes early in the first half.

Royal AM

Tebogo Potsane: The 29-year-old winger has been in and out of the team since the turn of the year but was back to his best against Stellenbosch, providing the assists for their first two goals and generally causing the opposition problems down the left flank. Potsane has now created three goals for his teammates in 16 appearances, his first one coming against Marumo Gallants on August 21.

Elias Pelembe: The evergreen Mozambique international is showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 39 and finally opened his account for the season against the Maroons. Pelembe linked up well with Potsane on the left and continues to play an important role for Thwihli Thwahla.