COACHES COLUMN

A classic match where both teams played a similar kind of football. The match was two teams playing possession football looking to build from the back and would be pressed high, thus opt for route one and build from the midfield. The midfield play was also one where whichever team had the ball, they’d be [...]

We started the match on a positive note and open the score in the sixth minute when Lamola got to the end of Lunga to make it 1:0. This allowed us to play with less stress and commanded the space and the ball very well though we didn’t create as many chances due to the [...]

A derby played after an embarrassing defeat by VUT in the NEDBANK Cup. The match was meant to be a response match where we needed to redeem ourselves after a poor knockout competition performance. The opponent was fighting for their lives and it showed in the physical nature of the match. We controlled the first [...]

This match came at the back of a heartbreaking result against KAIZER Chiefs where we lost the match at the very last minute of the match. Similar to KAIZER Chiefs, we put up a great team performance. Even though we had lost two players in camp due to sickness. We had to replace Venter wit [...]

We played this match at the back of a good turnaround where we won and draw our previous two encounters against Baroka and Polokwane City respectively. The opponent was in great form and had just drawn their previous encounter. It was indeed a very difficult match and we needed to put up a plan in [...]

This away match was played after a hard fought 1:0 home win against Baroka where Sfiso Mlungwana played his first match and kept a clean sheet. He had yet another good day in the office against a very forceful Polokwane City who were fighting for their lives to survive relegation. We had a good first [...]

A very difficult encounter we faced with the opponent at the bottom of the log and fighting tooth and nail to get out of the bottom of the log. A crucial match for our confidence due to our bad run recently. There was a very small margin of points between the teams. They played a [...]

The first match in the year of 2020 and the first of the second round. It had to be a derby where the opponent ended the first round on a high and lost in the Telkom final against Sundowns. Their strategy clearly to play on counter attack. Something we prepared very well for and managed [...]

This was the last match for the year 2019 and the last for the first round. The heat was on and the grass dry which affected the rhythm of our game. The opponent was always first on the ball and we were always a second late. Our midfield press was to loose and we never [...]

The match was played on Thursday due to BIDVEST continental duties. The weather conditions were similar to the Mamelodi Sundowns Telkom cup match where we played good football under rain and won. We played exactly the same good football under rainy conditions, especially second half. The first half was a cagey affair where we were [...]

The match was played just two days after the Baroka win. The team had had enough rest and we showed in our overall performance which was fresh. We dominated the match from the first whistle till the last except the period in the second half, where the opponent had a ten minute spell of good [...]

A very tough match away to an opponent, with a good squad but who’s been struggling to get results. This match was played after we lost to MSFC in the semifinals of the Telkom Cup. The level of our moral was at our lowest but we quickly needed to restore it. We had a fairly [...]

This was the second match in a row against the opponent after beating them 3:2 In the previous encounter. Clearly the opponent had learned from their previous encounter against us. They pressed us higher and targeted certain players and press target and worked for them. We could not build with fluidity and still insisted on [...]

This match was played after four difficult matches where we played PLK City, SS UTD all twice in a row in Telkom Cup and ABSA Premier League. We’ll be playing MSFC twice as well. The approach to the match was similar where we defended very well and was courageous enough to impose our offensive play. [...]

We played this match just two days after beating the opponent and knocking them out of the Telkom Cup. It was always going to be difficult to beat an opponent that was wounded. They played 4:3:3 and stuck to their system. We played a much much better game compared to the first one. We kept [...]

G. ARR V SS UTD We came to Mbombela knowing that we were going to play a very well-structured team playing a 4:3:3 with discipline and fluidity. Right from the Kickoff the intentions from both teams were clear that they were prepared to fight to go to Semi-finals. We held our ground and were rewarded [...]

It was bound to be a very difficult match after knocking them out of the TELKOM Cup. We had a very good start and scored first in the second minute when Mutizwa headed a MTSHALI free kick. The score was 1:0 and it helped us a lot. We continued playing our way even under pressure. [...]

This was our first knockout competition for this match. It showed in the temperament of the match where there was a great physical contest that lasted 120 minutes. We played a good game all round and dominated the game comfortably. We created numerous chances as always but our biggest challenge is converting the chances. Most [...]

We knew it was going to be a tricky match. It needed a sober mind and clear thinking. We started very well and scored two goals on transition from Mutizwa to make it 2:0. The opponent tried to sit in a block but we managed to unlock them by playing over the top using our [...]

A very difficult match to a CTC team that always wants to play from the back with lots of capable technical players. Their profile of is not far from our profile. Both teams showed lots of similarities. The glaring one was the high pressing game where the team in possession lost the ball and immediately [...]

The match, a derby as it was had all the ingredients of it. Due to the international break, Lunga and Mutizwa were rested and Lamola and Nkombelo got the start. We had good control of the first half. We dominated play and created the most chances. Most of the entries were from our right and [...]

We were playing a good opponent who unfortunately had not been getting results even though playing good fast paced football. We needed to deny them the space in wide areas and also control their two holding midfielders. Our defensive structure was very solid and only needed us to connect well after regaining possession. We had [...]

We played this match under difficult circumstances after the 5:0 away accidental loss to Celtic. We had ten days to work on the players moral and confidence. We also paid more attention to our defensive organization and it showed in the Chippa match. We tried different central pairings at the back and we settled for [...]

One of the most difficult and embarrassing matches to understand because of the outcome. The team performed very well creating numerous opportunities only to be denied by the goalkeeper. We had the worst start, almost similar to Sundowns last season in Pretoria. We concede a goal in 45” after start of the match, when Dube [...]

The result was a great start to the season after coming out of six weeks of preseason preparation. We had five debutantes in our team, who performed well on the day. We played well beginning of the match and defended sensibly. We went to half time well in control except moments where the opponent looked [...]

A very bizarre and highly interesting match we played. We had the worst start of the season and conceded two goals within the first 6 minutes of the match even though the first goal was an offside. We failed to control our emotions and made serious technical errors and lost possession consistently while we kept [...]

The match was always going to be very difficult to play because the opponent was fighting to survive relegation and we were fighting to move into Top 8 for the first time this season. We had a few suspensions and we had to withdraw S. Dube on the last minute due to an ankle injury. [...]

As soon as the draw was made and we had drawn TS GALAXY, there was an uneasy excitement that left a feeling we had already made the final. This feel and premature assumption was based on the fact that TS GALAXY were from a lower division. Little did we realize that it was a tricky [...]

We needed to win the Durban derby to push us into the Top 8 bracket with 34 points, position 8. This 1:1 draw leaves us at position 9 with four matches to play. We started very well controlling all phases of the match. Our attacks as usual were well structured as we built from the [...]

A very tactical match from two teams playing a similar style of attacking football. There were very few opportunities in the match except later when we had done our tactical substitutions. Both teams pressed high denying each other the opportunity to build from the back. We were the better in building from long balls played [...]

The third Nedbank away match in a row. There were three changes in the starting line up, Musa Bilankulu, Wayde Jooste and Sanele Mathenjwa. The team performed very well under circumstances. The weather was hot and the field dry with grass that was not cut well. We had a very good and disciplined performance in [...]

Our team played this match at the back of a 2:0 loss against Plk City on Sunday just two days ago. It was clear that the match was more mental than otherwise with the opponent fighting to survive relegation. Our team played good positive football and threatened the opponents goal more. We had a few [...]

A very difficult and intense match during a period where mental strength is required. We had a terrible start to the match where we failed to connect passes. We gave away possession at a very high rate resulting in the opponent getting break attacks. The result of our consistent loss of possession led to us [...]

The team played against an opponent who’s been on a high and had won their previous match by 4:1. Their confidence was very high and their game model very fluid and dynamic. We had prepared very well for the match. We had covered all the aspects where they are a threat. We played a very [...]

A match of two halves where in the first half we played with dominance and created sufficient chances but failed to utilize them. We managed to pull one goal on the 23rd minute when Lunga made an underlapping run and beat his defender, played a cut back to Mutizwa who was running near post and [...]

The match was played under trying rainy conditions. The opponent approach suited the conditions better because they played direct. Our defence did very well in dealing with the direct balls. It took us 8 minutes to find the back of the net. A corner kick sequence resulted in Lamola opening the score to make it [...]

This was a very unique performance by the team and a strange result. We struggled to deal with SS UTD two wingers in Modiba and Rusike dropping into the half spaces and cheating or not tracking back. This created problems for our midfield and on several occasions we suffered counter attacks because we couldn’t finish [...]

A very difficult match to play where two teams displayed two contrasting styles. Golden Arrows playing short interpasses with lots of movement and the opponent playing long balls directly into the box with the aim to find Mdala. The opponent were looking to dominate physically but we were more technical and had more tactical fluidity. [...]

The third away match in a row and against an unknown opponent with unknown players in a crucial knockout competition. We had five players starting for the first time and we were not sure how they’d respond. However, we had a very strong start and created chances right at the beginning of the match, we [...]

The team gave a fairly good performance and played decent football after a day long trip from Durban to Venda. The match was played at night, under rain, typical of Thohoyandou, it was still hot but much better than what it would have been during the day. We had a good first half with lots [...]

A very difficult away match against Celtic who’ve been on a good run of form. The match was further complicated by the fact that both teams had a similar approach and played the same system but Celtic were more used to it than us. Such conditions made the match even more difficult to break down [...]

A good and crucial victory for the club and a confidence boost for the team going forward. The team applied itself very well in the first half, a solid and clear structure, good ball retention, even though there’s still a lot of work to be done. We maintained good attacking shape and were well organized [...]

A disappointing end to the first round but still one that we can take many positives from. The match itself was an entertaining one for the fans with both teams attacking at will. An early defensive lapse handed our opponents an early lead but we immediately showed intent to come back and almost did when […]

After a poor opening 25 minutes and conceding two goals we gave ourselves an uphill task to salvage anything from the game,especially against a team renowned for seeing out a lead. However after tweaking our system we got back into the game and started making some inroads. At the break we sorted out a few […]

  A much needed victory under trying playing conditions. We acquitted ourselves well and began the match with good intensity and attack minded play. Our offensive players pressed collectively and with good co-ordination ,and as a result restricted Chiefs from developing any rhythm during their build up phase. We looked dangerous on the break and […]

Probably the most disappointing result of this season. We had a huge opportunity to put daylight between ourselves and the bottom 5 teams, but we also had an opportunity to cement a top eight place so to say we’re disappointed would be an understatement. We created enough chances to win this match but lost it […]

Finally our players can get some deserved rest after a grueling 9 days where played 3 consecutive away games against Baroka in the cup then Free State Stars away and finally Supersport. At a time when we have been hard hit by injuries our players have shown great resolve and commitment in two extremely difficult […]

Anytime a team concedes late from a winning position will always hurt, especially away from home. We held our own for the best part of 70 minutes and weren’t too threatened except for two Moseamedi headers that were off target. We needed to get a second goal because we knew late on they would go […]

We used this opportunity to give game time to our players who have not played much this season. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb after conceding in the first minute of the game. Taking into account that we fielded most of our players who have not got much game time this season, we grew […]

Finally we get a win after a dominant home performance. Still not converting at a good ratio but again solid defensively,3rd straight clean sheet and a very attacking display. We pleased for the players that all their hard work has finally paid dividends .A strong attitude and well executed tactical approach was evident in today’s […]

Another clean sheet,another good performance and still can’t get that elusive win. We had a huge opportunity to get all three points had we again taken one of the chances we created. Our team organization was on point as the players executed our game plan with high focus and concentration. Pirates failed to test Gumede […]

Two points dropped at home feels like a loss. Again we dominated but failed to break the deadlock. Credit to the players for the enthusiasm and energy with which they approached this game. Being the 3rd game in 7days we still ran tirelessly until the final whistle. Credit too must go to our fitness trainer […]

There was never a better time to get one over Sundowns than this match. For the first time we dominated them for long periods but failed to turn that dominance into goals and as is usually the case we conceded against the run of play. But credit must go to the players for their performance […]

Based on our overall performance I don’t think we deserved anything from this game. For the first time this season I can say we did not fight like we usually do. That was disappointing because that’s the foundation upon which we build our performances. We need to play with more belief and with more composure […]

We definitely look at this game as two points dropped instead of a point gained. After a positive start,a missed penalty and numerous squandered chances we broke the deadlock when Mngwengwe headed home from a Venter corner kick. We allowed our visitors to come back into the match after dominating the opening 30 minutes and […]

Games in Cape Town are never easy and this was no different. Credit must go to the opposition as I believe they are a quality unit whom I believe will do very well this season. But we traveled knowing we can get something out of this game and even had chances to win it in […]

From the onset the boys really tried to go toe-to-toe with Sundowns I don’t think Sundowns expected us to play the way we did in the first half where we tried to be on the front foot and tried to play offensively. I thought playing (Danny) Venter a bit deeper as a playmaker worked and […]

As expected we were in for a torrid 90 minutes against a very impressive Maritzburg team. I was very pleased with our structure and in particular, the work ethic of the entire team.. Our attacking players worked selflessly for the team and deserve a lot of credit. Still we were careless on the break turning […]

Being the first home game of the season we wanted to start positively but that was not the case as we struggled to find any rhythm in the first half. We had good shape but our Achilles heel was that we consistently turned over possession after winning it and as a result could not build […]

We knew full well going into this game what we were up against. We were totally outplayed in the first half and deservedly went into the break a goal down. We did not create any clear cut chances and could have been two or three goals down at the break such was their dominance. We […]

We started the game and controlled much of the opening 30 but found ourselves a goal down when Mhango headed freely at the near post on 30 minutes. It became even harder when we conceded a second after a penalty was surprisingly awarded to our opponents after hitting our player in the face. The 2nd […]

This was definitely one of our better performances of the first round.We dominated the first half but could not turn that dominance into goals. The players carried out our tactical approach with aplomb. The second half was a lot more open with both teams attacking at will. We pushed hard for a winner and at […]

So disappointed for the players that they got no reward for the performance they gave. We are proud of the efforts they continue to give regardless of the result. They went pound for pound with the best team in the country and at times it seemed as if there was a big yellow bus in […]

We definitely deserved something out of this game after a very strong second half showing. We struggled playing into a strong wind first half but used the conditions to our advantage in the second. We gave ourselves an uphill task after conceding after only two minutes of the restart. We threw everything at Stars with […]

Disappointed would be an understatement. Scoring two good team goals then conceding through a penalty and a deflected equalizer was a tough way to drop two valuable points. We weren’t at our best for sure but neither were our opponents who did very little to trouble Gumede in goals. More points dropped at home so […]

Another positive result on the road for the club. It’s never easy playing at Orlando but our players showed no fear and gave their all to make sure we returned with a point. Gumede made three good saves to keep us in the game but we also had opportunities which Mabokwane did well to save. […]

Supersport took the lead quite fortuitously when Bilankulu slipped because of the soft underfoot conditions. We had the first chance of the game though ,when Mutizwa chipped Williams only for the ball to narrowly go over the crossbar. Conceding the second goal just before the break made our task all the more difficult. Chasing the […]