Al Dhafra can afford no more slip-ups during the trio of imminent showdowns with their relegation rivals if they are to beat the drop, according to striker Makhete Diop.
The Western Knights currently sit in the dreaded bottom two after a 2-0 defeat at last-placed Al Shaab on Saturday left them five points from safety.
A defining run of fixtures awaits in the next fortnight, beginning with tomorrow’s clash with 10th-placed Fujairah at Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium. With clashes to follow against fellow strugglers Emirates Club and Al Jazira, Senegal striker Diop urged his team-mates to wrestle back control of their destiny.
“The league is still not finished,” said 27-year-old Diop. “We are five points or less away from Sharjah, Emirates Club, Fujairah and Al Jazira. “I think Al Dhafra must focus on the future.
“I feel for me, we will stay up if we fight together until the end. I believe we still have a chance.
“Why? Because we still have to play teams who are near us.
“We play Fujairah, Emirates Club and Al Jazira in the coming weeks. I think we have a good chance if we make a good result. Dhafra have only a good future as we can play with a five-point gap.”
Changes at Dhafra during the winter transfer window saw Morocco pair Adil Hermach and Issam El Adoua joined by Syria forward Omar Khrbin.
Diop believes the new boys’ experience could prove the difference in the coming months.
He said: “This is good as they help us with their experience. Game by game we are improving alongside each other, so it will be good for us Inshallah.”
