We were playing with fear
Soccer Laduma’s Peter Raath caught up with Cape Town All Stars assistant coach, Sinethemba Badela, who gives an insight into his relationship with Rhulani Mokwena. He also talks about the notorious Cape Doctor, changing players’ mentality and one Igugu Lekapa youngster that’s caught his eye.
Peter Raath: Before we discuss Cape Town All Stars, please tell us about the close relationship that you have with your mentor, Rhulani Mokwena.
Sinethemba Badela: When free, the two of us actually still coach Black Poison, an amateur side from Soweto, which I once briefly played for about 10 years ago under him. At that time, Rhulani saw I wasn’t interested in continuing to play, so he gave me books to read and the rest, as they say, is history. Even now, we chat every day. If I have something on my mind, I ask him, “How do you deal with this situation?” He’s played a big part in my career. Between 2005 and 2011, I also represented Jomo Cosmos’ youth and up to their reserves – however, I already knew about this bigger purpose in coaching. Ezenkosi’s ex-youth coach, Ronnie Moroka, with whom I remain in touch, also gave me tips. We young coaches look at data, while the older guys help us because they’ve been around, seen things with their eyes and are streetwise. That’s very important. One example is Mlungisi “Professor” Ngubane. He’s quality.
PR: Being a student of the game with the ability to identify talent and help improve their basic principles of performance, what’s been your biggest challenge since arriving in the Mother City?
SB: Peter, I’d say the weather here is challenging. I’ve learnt about the wind (laughing). The various conditions play a major role in players’ development. I now know why the locally-produced guys have such good technique like crossing the ball, whereas others from Gauteng are more skilful but lack the power and execution. It’s the same in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), where youngsters have no option but to train in the afternoons when the wind is blowing really hard and you can’t do passing patterns or similar things. Even the cones don’t stay in the same place. I’ve also been told to be ready for the Cape’s winter rains. I’m waiting. It’s okay, that’ll prepare me for Europe. My friends at SV Werder Bremen in Germany have talked about their cold and snow there.
PR: After a seven-match unbeaten run that included 2-0 wins over Bizana Pondo Chiefs and Polokwane City respectively, Igugu Lekapa suddenly hit the skids with five defeats in a row, which ultimately led to the sacking of head coach, Dylan Deane. Why the abrupt loss of form?
SB: Our bad patch was due to injuries, while there were six or seven COVID-19 cases in January, which was when the form started to dip. But it’s not an excuse. I mean, all the other clubs probably had the same issues. In some games, my team went ahead, before allowing the opposition to score. For instance, Richards Bay FC drew level via a penalty with three minutes to go and Uthongathi FC also equalised towards the end. We lost 2-1 to Jomo Cosmos and Pretoria Callies respectively, after taking the lead, which is why the technical team is working hard on how to better manage the game. After the Callies defeat, Waseem Isaacs, our striker, whom you can see still wants to play at the highest level and score goals, said to me, “Coach, the plan you gave us was working, but we started doing our own thing and losing focus.” We were playing with fear. When players are nervous, they go back to old habits. However, I could already see after managing to beat both University of Pretoria and Sekhukhune United 1-0 that the mentality has changed.
PR: How do you feel after Isaacs paved the way for the upcoming Nedbank Cup quarter-final clash with Pretoria Callies and which youngster has impressed you so far?
SB: It is an incredible feeling. We’re proud to reach the quarterfinals and credit to the players. Waseem is on fire. He’s been working so hard. I’m also proud of him. It is important for us to keep up the momentum as it is helping us recover and regain our confidence. The team will take it one step at a time, focusing on the next fixture like we’ve been doing in the last few weeks. Emmlitha Fulani, our 20-year-old attacking midfielder from the township, is going to be a star. They call him “Slender” because he’s a skinny little boy but unbelievably good on the ball. I could see the talent from his first training session, although he’s got a lot to learn. That youngster has fun on the field and is so brave. Against Bizana, he showed no fear at all, always looking to combine using a very nice technique as a number 10. There’s talk that he might be going to Sweden, but I don’t know what’s happening.
PR: You guys are back in the Top Eight following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over JDR Stars over the weekend, which illustrates further progress.
SB: It’s rewarding to win away against a dangerous side, who are very aggressive on transition.
PR: Thanks, Sinethemba. SB: It’s only a pleasure, Peter. ❐