Swallows chairman David Mogashoa has responded to controversial comments made by Maritzburg United coach Fadlu Davids on keeping a 'hawks-eye' on Saturday's fixtures to see if players remain 'professional' as the relegation battle tenses up.
The Team of Choice kept their survival hopes alive with 1-1 draw against league Champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday.
Maritzburg's fate now hangs in the hands of their competitors in Chippa United and Marumo Gallants who will face Golden Arrows and Swallows on Saturday.
READ | Davids: The entire country is going to watch Swallows Arrows
Davids warned that the South African football fraternity would be keeping a 'hawk-eye' on the last round of matches. Davids went as far as recommending split-screen coverage for both encounters.
"We put the pressure on Chippa and Marumo, Golden Arrows, their players are going to be under such scrutiny," Davids told SuperSport TV on Tuesday.
"Of course, Marumo Gallants are playing Swallows. Their players have to be on their toes, they really have to be professional because the whole world is going to watch, are they going to give them the game? You don't want to say that, what the coach was insinuating, Kwanele Kopo (that he felt Pretoria Callies' players may have sold their game).
"Everybody, the entire country will be watching with Hawkeyes to be able to see [if] can they win the game in a proper way, if Swallows are going to push for the top eight, or is someone going to suddenly slip at the edge of the box then they score? The entire country is going to watch these games."
Just Incase you missed it. The pressure is now on Swallows and Arrows. ???? pic.twitter.com/KCi07DRZqx
— David Mogashoa (@DavidMogashoa) May 16, 2023
The controversial comments did not go unnoticed by Mogashoa, whose Birds are safe from relegation this season but whose result will influence the relegation battle.
Mogashoa insisted that his side will not succumb to pressure and accused Davids of playing mind-games.
"Sounds like the pressure is more on the Arrows Players. Football is like politics. E boima ntwe. We are going to enjoy our game .. No Pressure. There is no amount of Coach Fadlu Pressure that will deny our DDC players a debut," Mogashoa said on Twitter.
Coach Fadlu is playing mind games now. ????. He must leave us alone.
— David Mogashoa (@DavidMogashoa) May 16, 2023
Sounds like the pressure is more on the Arrows Players. Football is like politics. E boima ntwe. We are going to enjoy our game .. No Pressure. There is no amount of Coach Fadlu Pressure that will deny our DDC players a debut ???????? pic.twitter.com/ZkXUruPm0Y
— David Mogashoa (@DavidMogashoa) May 17, 2023
We are not practicing the slipping and sliding yet. Key word being "yet" pic.twitter.com/wubbzagajU
— David Mogashoa (@DavidMogashoa) May 17, 2023
Chippa will host Arrows at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium while Swallows host Gallants at Dobsonville Stadium.
All matches will kick-off at 15:00.
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