MARINES Football Club coach Abdul Karim Nduhirabandi ‘Coka’ has challenged his players to win the remaining three games to avoid being dragged in the relegation fight.

The Rubavu-based side will face bottom side Esperance at Mumena Stadium on Sunday before hosting fellow strugglers Gicumbi at Umuganda stadium next weekend. Marines will wind up the season against fourth-placed Police FC on May 3.

"We will give all we have in the remaining games because we need to stay in the top division, we have been competing with best teams for so long and we need to stay up.

"We are in a tricky position, so I need the players to treat each of the last three matches like it’s a cup final, starting on Sunday against Esperance, who are also fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table,” Nduhirabandi told Saturday Sport.

Marines are in eleventh position with 20 points, three points ahead of Amagaju, who currently occupy the last of two relegation spots.