Platinum Stars are chasing three points and an improvement in home form when they tackle Bidvest Wits at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Saturday.
Dikwena’s home record this season has seen them win just one out of four matches ahead of the clash with Gavin Hunt’s side.
Since beating SuperSport United in the Absa Premiership opener, Cavin Johnson’s men have lost three consecutive league matches at home to Chippa United (MTN8), Baroka and Bloemfontein Celtic. Assistant coach Alan Clark says Dikwena are eager to impress and improve when they host log-leaders Bidvest Wits at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Saturday.
‘Wits is one of those teams that was always going to be there. We have seen how good they are. We saw them in the MTN8 with an incredible victory over Sundowns. They were incredibly impressive. We are going to have to be at our best. We are going to have to work hard and fight hard. It’s not going to be easy on Saturday night. Let’s hope we can start improving our home performances on Saturday night,’ said Clark.
Last season, Wits beat Dikwena 4-0 at home. Clark is confident that the men from North West will account themselves well this time around.
‘Last season, we had a bad day at the office against a good team. It’s important that we start on a better note. We learnt lessons along the way from a lot of matches last season and this season. As long as we keep our structure and shape and make sure that we remain competitive throughout the game. It’s not going to be an easy game. We all know Wits have the quality. Other than Sundowns they are the form team.
‘It’s not going to be an easy game. We all know Wits have the quality. Other than Sundowns they are the form team.
He believes Dikwena’s recent win over Golden Arrows will go a long way in motivating the players to give their all.
‘I think our victory away at Arrows has really been important. They were a team that was doing well. In Durban they are never that easy. For us to get a win against them was great. I think it was their first loss of the season at home. It was really an impressive performance.’
The former Dikwena head of academy says they have prepared well for the Wits game.
‘We have really worked hard. We had a couple of friendly games where we tried some tactical things. We have prepared and worked hard. We have to make sure our performance is good. It’s not going to be easy. We have to match them in terms of efforts and hopefully the football gods will smile at us and we can take some points. I hope the fans come out and support us. We need all the support since we are at home,’ said Clark.
The match kicks off at 20:15.
