Coach Fadlu deflects all the praise

Sibongiseni Gumbi

Maritzburg United coach Fadlu Davids (above) must have thought his players were just being overzealous when they added an MTN8 final to the list, as he set out targets for the season during a pre-season camp in Potchefstroom in June.

But after two Wafa Wafa matches the 36-year-old coach has realised they meant business as they only need a win or goalless draw against SuperSport United in the second leg of the semifinal at the Harry Gwala Stadium tomorrow evening.

“It is not about me but about the players,” said Davids yesterday. “When we set our targets for the season the players told me that they want to get to the MTN8 final. We are now just a game away from achieving that.”

Davids is in his first full season as head coach, having had two caretaker stints last term, first after Ernst Middendorp resigned and also after Roger de Sa left.

“It would obviously be a huge achievement for the club and the players if we did it. The players are willing to put in extra effort to ensure we get there,” he said.

Davids is under no illusions about the magnitude of the job that awaits them against Matsatsantsa a Pitori.

“We have to be cautious. If SuperSport score we are back to square one. We have to go out for a win but we respect SuperSport and know how dangerous they can be,” he said.

Davids will be without his star defender Brian Onyango for tomorrow’s match though is hoping to have new signing Yazid Atouba available.

“Onyango suffered a hamstring injury while on national team duty with Kenya,” said Davids.

He added that highly-rated Cameroonian attacking midfielder Atouba was still awaiting his work permit, which he hopes will be ready by the end of today.

The players are willing to put in extra effort to ensure we get there