PLATINUM Stars have set themselves a target!
Dikwena hope to vacate the Absa Premiership relegation zone before the end of this year.
If fact, they aim to be safe when the league goes into recess so they can enjoy their best Christmas and New Year’s break ever.
Captain Vuyo Mere said the confidence was slowly returning for him and the team. He scored Dikwena’s only goal to help them register their first win of the season, a 1-0 victory over Ajax Cape Town in Rustenburg two weeks ago.
Stars are bottom of the log table with seven points from 10 league matches.
After the Ajax win they are one point behind struggling defending PSL champions Bidvest Wits, surprise occupants of 15th place in the table. The Urban Warriors are 14th.
“All the players, young and old, believe we can do it before the league goes into the festive break,” said the 33-year-old.
“The players now understand coach Roger de Sa’s tactics and know what he expects of us. We can see light at the end of the tunnel.”
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic player said the Telkom Knockout defeat to Phunya Sele Sele was a blessing in disguise. Stars lost 2-1 to Celtic in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals.
“I saw lots of positives in that game,” he added.
“It was like we were continuing from where we left off in our game against Ajax. We created many chances but just couldn’t convert them. Now we can focus on the league and on moving away from relegation, without worrying about the cup competition.”
Mere says he is enjoying his new role as defensive midfielder.
The skipper, with 16 years’ experience in the top flight, is better known as a right back, but De Sa had switched him to a defensive midfield role. And he has excelled.
“I enjoy playing football, and with my experience, I can play anywhere the coach wants me to play,” said the former Bafana Bafana player.
“All I want to do is help the team win games. I don’t care which position I play.”
Stars host Celtic in their next league match on 22 November at the same venue where Phunya Sele Sele booted them from the TKO.
Their big challenge comes on 9 December when they host in-form Kaizer Chiefs at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. They conclude their fixtures for the year fixtures with a tricky assignment against Gavin Hunt’s Bidvest Wits at Milpark on 16 December.
The league goes on break on 20 December and resumes on 5 January
