Rocky on quest to give Tornado right edge

FORMER Future Tigers right-back Masixole Rocky Loli, who’s now campaigning for the playoffs to National First Division with Tornado, wants to add value to the ABC Motsepe League title winners squad.

The influential defender said the Mdantsane-based outfit was ready for the tournament that will host eight other winners from various provinces.

He’s played two games for his new side which were against Swartkops Valley United Brothers where they beat the Port Elizabeth outfit 5-0 and against Try Again where they also won 7-1.

Loli said he was getting more comfortable with himself as he spent more time at North End Stadium pitch training with the team.

But he said playing at Tornado had been easier than he expected because their opponents haven’t taken them to task, instead they have shown them respect.

“The two games I’ve played have not been challenging because the teams we’ve played against have not been giving us problems.

“It’s just a matter of me getting accustomed to the way the team plays.

“But the driving force for me now is the competition here, because unlike at Future (Tigers) – the team is made up of 40 something players, whereas we were 23 players at Future.

“So competition is there, but it’s a good thing for us as a team even though it puts me under pressure, because it makes me want to push more during games,” he said.

Loli said leaving last season’s runners-up camp was not a decision he took overnight but it had to be done.

Tigers are number seven on the logstandings with 37 points following 12 wins and 12 losses and one draw, while the league champs sit at 70 points after 23 wins, one loss and one draw.

“It was very hard for me to go because I had promised the chairman at the club that we would win the league title before I depart from the club.

“But that didn’t happen and I really wanted to achieve that before leaving.

But the entire team gave me their support so I’m thankful for that as well.

“And it’s been a wonderful journey for me and the transition has been kind of smooth.”

Working with former Free State Stars goalkeeper Tshepo Motsoeneng has been a great experience, he says.

“It’s an amazing experience working under him. We are still learning things about each other but we are getting along quite well.

“He believes in me and that’s what also pushes me because I want to be better for him and my teammates because I respect them as well. It’s about working hard when you playing with talented guys who are dedicated, so all I want to do is to work for them and not disappoint them.”

Tornado will host Spears at North End Stadium on Saturday.