AmaTuks mentally ready for resurgent Richards Bay FC ahead of PSL playoffs

Today, the University of Pretoria steps onto the field against Richards Bay, their aim clearly disrupts the established order.

The clash takes place at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban, with AmaTuks, buoyed by their opening victory over Baroka FC, looking to make a statement.

Cape Town Spurs, Moroka Swallows, and Chippa United were the three winners of these playoffs.

AmaTuks head coach Tlisane Motaung is preparing his team for a mentally strong Richards Bay team.

"Look, mentally Richards Bay is going to be a difficult team simply because if you look at those number of games you spoke about, their mentality was switched on for playoffs spot,” Motaung said.

“So, it's a team that is ready for this stage. They were ready long to get to this stage, to fight, they did not want to get themselves into automatic relegation, they said, we need to get ourselves in the playoffs. So, mentally it tells you they are ready for what's coming."

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Richards Bay, not to be underestimated, enters the playoffs on the back of a formidable run.

They have emerged victorious in five of their last seven matches, including notable wins over Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Stellenbosch FC.

This impressive track record is another factor that Motaung and his team are well aware of.

"However, one will obviously have to respect the fact that coach Vilakazi who's obviously showing qualities of a coach is going to make it difficult for us. The team itself with individual brilliance, I think they're going to make it very difficult for us,” he added.

“We have to be prepared for that, we have to suffer again from the ball. We have to look at, do we freshen up the squad? Or do we bring high-performance expertise to assist us on those players that we think we need and they might be running out of legs?"