ERNST MIDDENDORP SAYS BELIEF WILL CARRY CAPE TOWN SPURS OVER THE LINE

Cape Town Spurs coach Ernst Middendorp says his team still believe they can avoid relegation from the DStv Premiership this season.

The Urban Warriors are back in the South African top-flight for the first time since the 2017/18 season where they ended bottom of the standings with just 24 points from 30 games.

This time around, Middendorp’s side have secured just 10 points from 18 games, but have found some form in recent weeks as they recorded league wins over AmaZulu and TS Galaxy.

Ashley Cupido (13′) and Katlego Maphathe (27′) were both on target against the Rockets at Athlone Stadium on Sunday for a 2-0 win.

Reflecting on the encounter, an upbeat Middendorp explained that the mood in the camp has certainly improved.

The Spurs boss said in the Sowetan: “We are all happy with the three points, probably the light is a little bit brighter in the basement.

“We are still looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. But we will not see it in March and we will not see it in April, probably earliest in the end of May.”

Middendorp added: “That’s something where we have to believe to keep going. And that’s a game with a different approach in the first half, a bit more out of a compact, not jumping up and down, but I think a very clear, good shape.

“In the right moment to have the pressure on the ball, on the right moment to do the corner runs supporting each other. I think at that time we fully deserved a 2-0, we had probably another moment where we could have done a third one.”

Next up for Spurs is an away trip to face fourth-placed Orlando Pirates on Wednesday.