Cape Town Spurs coach Ernst Middendorp has laid bare the brutal reality facing his team, declaring their upcoming clash against Richards Bay a do-or-die encounter.

Bottom-of-the-table Spurs will host second-from-bottom Richards Bay at Athlone Stadium on Friday (19:30), with eight points separating the two struggling sides with six games remaining. In a season marred by struggles and setbacks, Spurs find themselves on the precipice of relegation, their destiny hanging on this crucial showdown against Vusi Vilakazi’s side.

Middendorp asserted with unwavering conviction, “It depends on next Friday evening. If we don’t win on Friday, you can close the book, that’s the reality.” Languishing at the bottom of the league table, Spurs’ plight couldn’t be more dire. After 24 grueling matches, they have amassed only 12 points. Bay, occupying the 15th spot, sit just above them with 20 points to their name.

Middendorp minced no words in stressing the importance of securing a victory in this match. “I mean what I said, it’s not necessary to explain it. If we play the old sh*t, it won’t be good enough. We have to win this game. How we do it doesn’t matter,” he declared with a steely resolve.

The gravity of the situation hasn’t escaped the attention of their adversaries either. Bay coach Vilakazi sees this clash as an opportunity to seal Spurs’ fate once and for all. “This is the game where we write Cape Town Spurs’ obituary,” remarked Vilakazi, underlining the significance of the impending showdown.

Despite Bay’s own struggles this season, boosted by their recent upset victory over giants Kaizer Chiefs, Vilakazi remains resolute in his belief that relegating Spurs could pave the way for a resurgence in their own fortunes. “Mathematically we can still achieve something, let’s focus on making sure that when we play them, we beat them so that we know that we forget about Cape Town Spurs and we focus on competing with teams that are above us, in case they’re sleeping,” asserted Vilakazi, exuding unwavering confidence ahead of the crucial encounter.

As the two bottom-dwellers prepare to lock horns, the stage is set for a battle of epic proportions. For Spurs, it’s a fight for survival; for Richards Bay, it’s a chance to stake their claim for redemption. With emotions running high and the stakes higher than ever, all eyes will be on the showdown that could reshape the landscape of the league.