Zeca Marques believes he has a realistic chance of working with the same squad next season only if Black Leopards win promotion to the Premier League.
The coach admitted that it would be near impossible to hold on to his key players - among them strikers Siphelele Ntshangase and Ruggert Nyundu - should Leopards fail to move up from the National First Division tomorrow.
Marques guided Lidoda Duvha to the top of the promotion-relegation play-offs table after beating Moroka Swallows 1-0 at Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday, essentially relegating his former club from the top flight.
But the Dube Birds have to at least hold Jomo Cosmos to a draw tomorrow night for Leopards to return to the Premier League.
A win for Ezenkosi will see them gain promotion on a better goal difference.
Ntshangase and Nyundu, who netted the winner against Swallows, scored 22 goals between them in the NFD this season, with the former catching the eye of Mamelodi Sundowns recently.
Nyundu, who remains contracted to neighbours Polokwane City, has been phenomenal since arriving on loan in January, bagging 13 goals and adding another two during the play-offs.
"The chairman [David Thidiela] has already assured the players that should we get promoted, he wants them to stay," Marques said.
"I've also told them that we can build on this team and make it stronger. This is the backbone of what we achieved this year. But we know the guys are being tapped up. Let's hope they stay."
The coach will also have to discuss his future, having joined Leopards halfway through the season on a short-term deal. After the match against Swallows, in which he was picked as the man of the match, Nyundu said his own future was unclear.
"I'm proud that I have been able to contribute so much at Leopards, and now we just need to wait and see if Swallows can restore a bit of pride against Cosmos.
"As for my return to Polokwane City, I am not sure about that. I can't say I am necessarily looking forward to it, but my dream is to play abroad," the 27-year-old said.
The match tomorrow takes place at Dobsonville Stadium, starting at 7.30pm.
Marques facing poser
Zeca Marques believes he has a realistic chance of working with the same squad next season only if Black Leopards win promotion to the Premier League.
The coach admitted that it would be near impossible to hold on to his key players - among them strikers Siphelele Ntshangase and Ruggert Nyundu - should Leopards fail to move up from the National First Division tomorrow.
Marques guided Lidoda Duvha to the top of the promotion-relegation play-offs table after beating Moroka Swallows 1-0 at Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday, essentially relegating his former club from the top flight.
But the Dube Birds have to at least hold Jomo Cosmos to a draw tomorrow night for Leopards to return to the Premier League.
A win for Ezenkosi will see them gain promotion on a better goal difference.
Ntshangase and Nyundu, who netted the winner against Swallows, scored 22 goals between them in the NFD this season, with the former catching the eye of Mamelodi Sundowns recently.
Nyundu, who remains contracted to neighbours Polokwane City, has been phenomenal since arriving on loan in January, bagging 13 goals and adding another two during the play-offs.
"The chairman [David Thidiela] has already assured the players that should we get promoted, he wants them to stay," Marques said.
"I've also told them that we can build on this team and make it stronger. This is the backbone of what we achieved this year. But we know the guys are being tapped up. Let's hope they stay."
The coach will also have to discuss his future, having joined Leopards halfway through the season on a short-term deal. After the match against Swallows, in which he was picked as the man of the match, Nyundu said his own future was unclear.
"I'm proud that I have been able to contribute so much at Leopards, and now we just need to wait and see if Swallows can restore a bit of pride against Cosmos.
"As for my return to Polokwane City, I am not sure about that. I can't say I am necessarily looking forward to it, but my dream is to play abroad," the 27-year-old said.
The match tomorrow takes place at Dobsonville Stadium, starting at 7.30pm.
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