Delron Buckley says it is up to him to raise morale at Maritzburg United following his appointment as interim head coach.
The Team of Choice parted ways with Eric Tinkler after four losses from their opening four Dstv Premiership game this season, alongside their MTN8 exit.
Maritzburg have struggled ever since returning to action in the Premier Soccer League's bio-bubble last season, with their 1-0 loss to Black Leopards this past weekend proving to be the final straw.
Buckley, who was appointed as assistant to Tinkler this season, will have to rally his troops for their visit of SuperSport United on Friday.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Buckley told the TimesLIVE: "It's a normal situation when a coach goes‚ players start thinking about what's going to happen.
"For me now as a caretaker coach‚ I have to boost the players' morale. [I have to] get them motivated and prepared for the game on Friday. It's up to the players to take the situation into their own hands.
"It's a do or die game for us [against SuperSport] and the minute they put their foot onto the pitch‚ they must realise that if we are going to win‚ we are going to have to be aggressive and challenge for every ball.
"Sometimes when the going gets tough‚ you can't play pretty football. You have to play the ugly way to win games."
- TEAMtalk media
