Promoted at the end of the 2023 season, the team is currently in the 12th position on the log after 16 matches, with a record of five wins, two draws, and nine losses. The coach expressed how disheartened he is with the team’s progress.
“The performance of the team is not so good, but the team is slowly moving in the right direction. The team is still new, but it has shown that given time and some personnel there and there it can go further into the league,” the coach noted.
Coach Sibonelo is a SAFA D Coaching License holder, awaiting C licence certificate, he identified several key areas where the team needs to enhance their game going forward, with one of the primary areas focussing on bringing in new signings.
“I think the team needs to get a few fresh legs when the next window period comes. We have positions in the team that need reinforcements, because the league demands a lot of energy and a number of players to complement that.”
When asked about standout performances, the coach was sceptical to praise individual players; “As of now we have not really highlighted individual performances, we are a team that focuses more on how one can improve the team not specifically individuals. Yes, we see a lot of improvement in terms of how the team plays, address tactical issues and commit themselves to the game. The players are always ready for anything that comes in their way.”
Navigating the top-flight competition hasn't been without its challenges on and off the field, however the former Jericho All Stars [SAB League] and Walter Sisulu University Ladies coach remained optimistic about the team's future in South Africa’s top flight competition.
“On the field I’d say [the challenges faced] is giving too much respect to the big names we meet in the league and also the big branded teams we play against. We had to dig deep for us to get them to believe in themselves and play football the way we want them to.”
“Off the field, there is nothing much to say really because that’s the office that deals with that department. From our side, we deal with players on the field and if they happen to take the wrong approach then we let the office deal with them.”
While they went without a win in the month of June, losing three games and drawing once (W 0 D 1 L3) their biggest win in the league was in their battle against Thunderbirds in May when they thrashed the Eastern Cape side 5-0
Asked about his goals for the remainder of the season, the coach was clear and ambitious as he looked ahead to the second part of the season. “I think we are still in it, like we can still move miles away from the relegation zone. The team is strong, they have shown that more than once. For the remainder of the season I plan to go way ahead of the relegation zone and then see how we approach next year with a different mindset and mandate.”
“With how the team is growing, I honestly see the team competing for the top 8 next year and if things go according to plan then shift to focus on the higher note in the league. We are a very big brand and we can achieve a lot if we put our mind to it. In the next three to five years from now, I see the team being ranked closer to [Mamelodi] Sundowns, JVW, UWC and UJ just to name a few.”
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