Kruger United take command in title race with four games to go

On Wednesday, Kruger defeated fellow promotion challengers Cape Town City at Kanyamazane Stadium, a crucial victory that separates them from the chasing pack in the top five, all still pushing for automatic promotion as the season nears its conclusion.

Mongoya says he’s made the team aware of the massive target on their backs.

"Credit to the boys, the technical team and the management of the club. I think every game we're going to play from here on out is going to be tough, because I told the boys they have become the team everyone wants to beat."

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In their ranks, the Mpumalanga outfit boasts experienced players, including former Bafana Bafana defender Tercious Malepe, ex-Bloemfontein Celtic and Moroka Swallows defender Wandisile Letlabika, and former SuperSport United midfielder Morne Nel, among others.

Mongoya says in critical moments of the game, he has relied heavily on players who have featured in the top-flight league before, trusting them to keep calm heads under pressure.

Kruger’s success has largely come from their matches on home soil, where they remain unbeaten, with nine wins and four draws, the best record in the lower division.

Their remaining four fixtures are all against teams in the bottom five, and the Lesotho-born coach has credited analyst Tshepo Mahao for his detailed profiling of opponents, saying his work will be crucial in the final stretch.

"Our analysis is spot on and very detailed. We go deep and try to analyse at least five games the opposition has played. It's very difficult to do that in a short space of time, but everyone is working hard. This team has become so stubborn they refuse to lose."

As things stand, Mpumalanga has only one team in the Betway Premiership, TS Galaxy, and as Kruger United push to become the second, support in the stands has grown, from regular fans to government officials, reflecting the increased backing for the local club.

Mongoya is grateful to the supporters for showing the team love throughout the season, but even more so now as they chase a place in history.