Agama FC coach Godfrey Tamirepi says his side cannot afford any more slip-ups as they prepare to face Chicken Inn in a crucial Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Wadzanai Stadium on Saturday.
The league newcomers have shown remarkable resilience against some of the country's biggest clubs this season, holding defending champions Simba Bhora, FC Platinum, Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum Stars to draws, but Tamirepi believes those results will count for little unless they start converting performances into victories.
Agama head into the weekend fixture still trapped in the relegation zone and face a stern test against a Chicken Inn side coached by Tonderai Ndiraya, who guided Scottland FC to the league championship last season.
Despite the challenge, Tamirepi remains confident his team can produce another disciplined display and collect the maximum points that could significantly improve their survival prospects.
"Despite having posted some positive results, we are still in the same predicament, thus the relegation battle. Regarding the Chicken Inn game, we are approaching it like a cup final because we really need three points, without undermining our opponent," Tamirepi told NewsDay Sport.
The Agama mentor acknowledged the threat posed by the Gamecocks and their experienced coach, saying his players would need to be at their best to secure a positive outcome.
"Chicken Inn are a seasoned team with a championship-winning coach, hence we must be at our best to beat them and we don't have to read much into their previous results going into this game. If we are to bring any hopes for survival, then we just have to go out there and win this game."
Tamirepi expects a closely contested encounter, with both teams desperate for points for different reasons.
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"We are anticipating a very tough and entertaining game because both teams have a lot at stake to fight for," he said.
The coach believes his players have often found extra motivation when facing the league's traditional heavyweights, a factor he hopes can be replicated against Chicken Inn.
According to Tamirepi, matches against big teams naturally inspire players to raise their levels, whereas fixtures against sides perceived to be of similar standing sometimes result in lapses in concentration.
He also insisted that pressure is an unavoidable part of football management regardless of where a team sits on the table.
"Football is a pressure game. Whether you are at the top, mid-table or bottom, one has to deliver positive results. However, despite the pressure, as a coach one has to remain positive, analyse his team, plan accordingly and be in a position to motivate players to get the desired results," he said.
A victory on Saturday would not only improve Agama's position on the table but also strengthen belief within the squad that survival remains firmly within reach.
