PSL Play-off decider a cup final Maritzburg must win – Fadlu Davids

After finishing second from bottom in the 2022/23 DStv Premiership season, the Team of Choice fell into the mini-league against Spurs and Casric Stars to try and save their topflight status. 

Maritzburg coach Fadlu Davids has described the last game of the playoffs as a cup final they must win. 

"After the end of the season, teams play Nedbank Cup final a week later, and this is like a cup final [for Maritzburg]. So, it's the approach to win the game," said Davids.

"You don't play finals to just play finals, you play them to win. There's a lot we need to correct [from the previous] Cape Town Spurs game, we'll look into it again.

"This is a moment we'll look into small details that will help us to get the result because that is what [is needed]."

Spurs only need a point to secure promotion, while Maritzburg, who beat Casric 2-0 last weekend, are desperate for all three points to topple their opponents on goal difference. 

Davids insists their Mother City rivals are favourites in the tie.

"They have the advantage. I'd rather be in their position, where a draw would put them through, so they have the ascendency and they're the favourites at the moment in relation to the [log] because we have to win," he added.

"But it's still a cup final. If we approach it like a cup final – you don't play to draw it, you play to win it, and that will be our approach."