NEWS: Ernst Middendorp hoping to inspire Cape Town Spurs to unlikely safety

Relegation from the DStv Premiership appeared to be a foregone conclusion for the team that has spent all season at the bottom of the league standings, but a couple of victories in recent games has kept them within range of 15th-placed Richards Bay, as they enter the final weeks of their league campaign.

Spurs managed a 1-0 win over the Natal Rich Boyz in April and most recently defeated Royal AM 1-0, on Tuesday night, to move to within six points of the relegation/promotion play-off places – with three games of their season to play.

After taking on SuperSport, Middendorp’s side will have the chance for points in games against Golden Arrows and Kaizer Chiefs.

The German mentor called on his charges to fight until the very end, having seen a massive improvement in his side recently.

“We have to stay free, have fun, enjoy it. Show the energy we have seen today and just be prepared that everybody is optimising their individual skills and contributing to the collective team effort,” Middendorp said.

“That’s the most important stuff. Then here and there, we tell them which road to go and to drive and hopefully, we can make it on Friday. We prepared ourselves to the maximum and let’s see what we can take out.”

The Spurs boss added: “It was a fully deserved victory and the three points were very crucial for us. It was a lot of work to do before the game.

“But we found some aspects during the week to look for improvement. We have seen some stuff. You must design some training sessions adequately.

“Secondly, a lot of surprise because these are young guys. If you take only the games in 2024 with this team, 11 games played now, but before this game from February until now in 10 matches, we are in position eight.

“Everyone is looking surprised, but we are in position eight. We did all this to inspire the guys to produce the energy and that is our job in terms of going into this game.”