De Sa seeks to end losing streak
PLATINUM Stars coach Roger de Sa is seeking to end a personal barren run that is reaching epidemic proportions.
Since the start of the 2016-17 season‚ De Sa has been in charge of 21 Premier Soccer League matches at Ajax Cape Town‚ Maritzburg United and now Stars‚ but has just a single victory to show for it.
He was hoping to improve on that harrowing statistic going into last night’s Telkom Knockout first round fixture against Maritzburg at Harry Gwala Stadium‚ where he will also look to break his duck with Stars.
His only victory in the last 15 months came while at Maritzburg as they claimed a 2-1 home win over Free State Stars in February.
The other 20 games have yielded seven draws and 13 defeats as De Sa battles to find a winning formula.
He started the 2016-17 season in charge at Ajax but left after seven games that brought just two draws and five defeats‚ to be replaced by Stanley Menzo.
He then had a brief two-month spell at Maritzburg‚ where he was also in charge for seven games‚ but could only manage that single victory‚ a draw and five losses.
He has now been coach of Stars for seven games as well‚ bringing four draws and three defeats.
He will point out that at times the performances have not matched the results but will know too he has to turn the corner fast.
“The squad has been working hard. Even with limited areas in our team‚ the players have continued to graft and put in the hard work and the belief is still there‚” De Sa said.
“There’s no easy way in this game. We have to work hard in order to win and we will.”
Despite his personal need for a victory‚ De Sa says he would be resting some players for the game against Maritzburg.
“A good cup run sometimes also helps your league form. We are not going to make drastic changes but we will be resting one or two key players we feel are a concern to us.He also had praise for a team that he knows very well from his time there earlier this year. Telkom Knockout last 16: Yesterday: Maritzburg United v Platinum Stars (Harry Gwala Stadium‚ 8pm).
Today: Polokwane City v Ajax Cape Town (Old Peter Mokaba Stadium‚ 3.30pm).
Lamontville Golden Arrows v Orlando Pirates (Princess Magogo Stadium‚ 3.30pm).
Bloemfontein Celtic v SuperSport United (Dr Molemela Stadium‚ 6pm).
Kaizer Chiefs v (Moses Mabhida 8.15pm).
Bidvest Wits v Free State Stars (Bidvest Stadium‚ 8.15pm).
Tomorrow: Baroka FC v Cape Town City (Peter Mokaba Stadium‚ 3.30pm).
Chippa United v Mamelodi Sundowns (Sisa Dukashe Stadium‚ 3.30pm). — TimesLIVE AmaZulu Stadium‚