Elusive win brings some relief to Ea Lla Koto

SUCH is the pressure of staying in contention for the top eight that Free State Stars coach Steve Komphela has barely slept a wink.

Komphela's men ended a seven-game winless streak with a hard-fought 2-1 Absa Premiership win over AmaZulu at Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem on Saturday.

Four defeats and three draws had put Stars' top eight finish under threat, but the elusive win brought a sense of relief to the Free Staters.

"You can't sleep after a draw or loss. It's hectic," said Komphela.

Moeketsi Mvula headed Ea Lla Koto into the lead on the stroke of half-time before Danny Venter increased the lead midway through the second half.

Kagiso Senamela curled in a free-kick five minutes from time to set up a tense finish, but it proved too little too late for Usuthu.

"The difference between the PSL and the top leagues in Europe is that in Europe they are looking at the Championship and the top four to qualify for Champions league," reckoned Komphela.

"Locally it's the championship and the top eight. And that's why it becomes intense and hectic at this stage of the season."

No one knows better about pressure than Craig Rosslee, the Usuthu coach who has had little breathing space as he works relentlessly to pull AmaZulu away from the relegation zone.

Stars next visit troubled Mamelodi Sundowns, who are also seeking a top eight finish, in one of the two league matches tomorrow, while AmaZulu will be under pressure to win at home against relegation-haunted Black Leopards on Wednesday.