Phakaaathi.co.za Dladla bids to upstage Eagles
COACH: REUNION WITH SIKHAKHANE
His former mentor has never lost to his one-time protege.
Real Kings coach Simo Dladla hardly ever celebrates his team’s results and prefers to look into upcoming games and immediately start preparing for them, rather than wallowing in the glory of what’s already in the bag.
Immediately after guiding his Magic Boys to a win over KwaZulu-Natal rivals Richards Bay FC, whom they beat 1-0 through Ntsako Makhubela’s goal, Dladla said he was looking forward to the next match – an interesting duel against one of his former mentors, Roger Sikhakhane of Royal Eagles.
“The next game is quite tough because we meet Roger’s team. He knows me and our team very well. He is quite experienced in this division and I have never beaten his teams. However, I am looking forward to collecting three points against him. It is going to be a battle and we will fight till the end,” said Dladla, whose team are again second in the National First Division standings.
Having lost to leaders Highlands Park a few weeks ago, Kings lost some ground and now trail the Lions of the North by nine points, and Dladla will have to break his duck against Sikhakhane on Saturday if he is to continue chasing at least a play-off position.
With Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila having lost on Friday and Kings winning on Saturday, Highlands Park had to do their business and did it impressively by beating Jomo Cosmos 4-0 at Vosloorus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It would now take an experienced punter some time to think it through before placing a wager against Owen da Gama’s side winning the NFD title.
In the relegation zone meanwhile, none of the threatened teams could find a breakthrough this weekend, as most secured only draws which did little to improve their situations.