Top eight pressure mounts as Pitso Dladla calls for win against struggling Magesi

The Citizens’ top eight push took a knock following a narrow 1-0 loss to Golden Arrows in the KZN Derby, leaving Dladla demanding an immediate response.

With Magesi struggling in the Betway Premiership, Dladla insists this is the ideal opportunity for his side to get their campaign back on track and secure crucial points.

"We are the team that has accumulated more points at home than away. But it's a game that we know is going to be difficult. It's a game that we should also try and win and not put it too much in our head that it's an away game because we have to bounce back," said Dladla

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"It's a game that we're going to give our all. But, at the same time we don't want to be put under pressure," 

Dladla was the first to admit his charges got the basics wrong when they lost both matches against Mamelodi Sundowns and Arrows by 1-0.

"To have two defeats back-to-back, I think it's for the first time we are experiencing this as a team. But it depends on how we take these defeats. These defeats must motivate us going for an away game against Magesi but at the same time we need to get a few things right amongst ourselves."

Despite reaching the Nedbank Cup final next month against TS Galaxy, the coach pointed out that their league performance mattered more. 

Dladla added that the demands of the topflight were taking their toll on the squad considering their matches in the second tier were spaced out – but they have to adjust quickly in the coming games.