Free State Stars are determined to come away with what could be an effective six points when they take on fellow strugglers AmaZulu in Durban on Saturday, said coach Kinnah Phiri yesterday.

"It's a very important match for us, an effective six-pointer. All our preparations have been aimed at coming away with the victory."

Stars have a five-point lead over AmaZulu with both clubs having seven games left in the season. Stars are just above the Premier Soccer League relegation zone on goal difference only, while AmaZulu sit bottom of the standings but have made a stirring bid at rescuing their top-flight status in recent matches.

"AmaZulu have been playing well," admitted Phiri, "but then so have we. Maybe with a bit more luck the results might have gone more our way," he added of their recent outings.

Ea Lla Koto have not won in their last six league games, drawing four and losing the last two. Their last match was a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Moroka Swallows on March 13 and Saturday afternoon's encounter at Moses Mabhida Stadium comes after a three-week break.

"It was a good one, we need it. We had players with knocks and niggles and now they are back from injury and fully recovered. I was happy with the preparations, we had friendlies against Maritzburg United and Santos as well," Phiri added.

The former Malawi national team coach said he was confident Stars would be able to pull away from any possible relegation dog fight.

"If you look at the remaining games I'm confident we'll pick up valuable points."

Stars have four home and three away matches left in this season's programme.