Under normal circumstances, one would not raise eyebrows upon coming across people from the same country doing favours to each other.
But in the case of Malawians John Maduka, Gabadinho Mhango and Khuda Muyaba, so much is at stake for them as their teams play their last matches in South Africa’s DStv Premiership Saturday, such that they will find it appropriate to temporarily forget issues of nationality.
Maduka is coach for Royal AM, who lie 14th on the table, while Muyaba plies his trade for second-from-bottom Richards Bay as striker, with Mhango featuring in a similar role for Moroka Swallows.
Royal and Bay are in a fight against being relegated to playoffs while Swallows will have a say in the final outcome as they are up against Maduka’s side.
Royal have the advantage in the fight as they sit just above the drop zone with 30 points from 29 matches, while Richards Bay have 27 points from the same number of matches.
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Swallows have been spared the trouble of fighting against the playoffs as they are just above Royal, with 32 points from 29 matches.
Muyaba and his team had a chance to catch up with Royal on Saturday but they failed to follow up on their 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates after losing 3-1 to Cape Town City.
Royal were also in action last weekend, with their struggles continuing as they shared spoils with Chippa United in a goalless draw.
Mhango will have a say in Maduka’s avoidance of the playoffs as Swallows will take on Royal Saturday afternoon.
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Bay have a tough assignment against second-placed Stellenbosch where they will need to win at all cost and hope that Swallows defeat Royal.
Such a result will mean safety for Bay as they will be tied with Royal on 30 points with a superior goal difference.
But Bay will not have it easy though as Stellenbosch are still looking to finish second on the log table, with giants Orlando Pirates breathing down their neck on third position.
Maduka said he is not focused on what their rivals need to do and is, instead, keeping his players focused on the job at hand.
“Our thinking is positive. Our fate is still in our hands. We can’t wait for other teams to do us favours. It’s all up to us,” he told sportsbrief.com.
Swallows coach Musa Nyatama is certainly a happy man after saving the team from relegation and said he would give fringe players the chance to prove themselves against Royal.
“We will give the other guys some minutes. It has been difficult for us. We have not been changing the team a lot, but we will change the team now to give a chance to players who were not playing.
“We really need the support from management now [to do better next season] and, hopefully, it will be fixed next season and we may start on a good note,” Nyatama told South African media.
Mamelodi Sundowns already won the title and will be heading into the weekend action with an unassailable 73 points.
