Vasco da Gama’s 2011 form sees them facing Free State Stars at the Philippi Stadium on Saturday afternoon having to avoid a third successive defeat, kick-off at 15h30.
The bubble has been burst slightly after the PSL rookies ended 2010 on a high, and following three draws and defeats to SuperSport United and then Santos, Vasco will want to recapture that winning feeling.
They were not outplayed in either game, but failed to create enough impetus in attack, and were also guilty of missing a few clear-cut chances. They only lost each game by a single goal.
With Sibusiso Zuma seeming to lack a striking partner – Bradley August seems only to be considered as a late impact sub, while Excellent Walaza has failed to impress - the veteran striker at times is starved of service, while opposition teams have obviously recognised him as the danger-man and are making plans to keep him quiet.
The attention given to Zuma should open up chances for the likes of Jonathan Armogam, Zeka Karkee, Josephy Kamwendo and Keenin Lesch, but this had not materialised for the Cape side.
They must now dig deep against a Stars side that have become hard to beat as the season has progressed.
Steve Komphela leads his side down to Cape Town having secured a 1-1 draw with champions SuperSport United midweek, their third successive stalemate - the last time Ea Lla Koto having tasted defeat coming four games back when they lost to Celtic.
The first round game between Stars and Vasco ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with keeper Kennedy Mweene scoring from the spot and Zuma replying for the Cape side.
Mweene is hopeful of a good result, but is mindful of not underestimating Vasco (10th position) who Stars (ninth) have overtaken.
“We can’t look at past results. Yes Vasco have lost their last two games but if anything this makes them more of a threat.
“We saw what they are capable of when we hosted them earlier in the season, so we know a tough game awaits us – they are a hard-working side.
“But we are in good spirits. The team is working hard and improving all the time – we’re going there optimistic of a positive result,” said the Stars captain.
Vasco coach Carlos das Neves feels there is no reason to feel a crisis is looming – he feels his side just need the rub of the green to go their way.
“All three games after Christmas have been tight. Against Platinum Stars we gave away a penalty which meant we only got a point.
“Against SuperSport we lost a tight game by a single goal, when we should have scored a goal in the first half which would have changed the complexion of the game, and against Santos we lost it in the last 30 seconds.
“In football you need a bit of luck, which we haven’t had recently. Our performances haven’t been bad and we just need to keep our heads up and give our all against Stars.”
Vasco will be without Zeka Karkee, who was sent off against Santos, but otherwise maintain the same set of players that did duty on Wednesday, with no-one retuning from a fairly lengthy injury list.
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