Maccabi still finding feet

Sibongiseni Gumbi

Maccabi FC are gradually growing their support base at their new home venue at Dobsonville Stadium and coach Mokete Tsotetsi (above) sees their campaign in the Nedbank Cup as a chance to advertise the team to a wider audience.

Tsotsetsi’s side begin their Ke Yona campaign with a National First Division preliminary match against University of Pretoria at Tuks Stadium today at 3pm. Maccabi have done fairly well in their first season in the NFD as they are fifth with 18 points after 12 games.

“It has been great so far. It has not been a walk in the park but it has been good,” said Tsotetsi.

Asked if he will be pushing for promotion in their first season in the paid ranks, Tsotetsi said he would not want to pile pressure on himself or his team.

“We are not there yet (promotion), we are finding our feet. But if towards the end of the season we see a chance to finish in the top three, we’ll go for it,” he said.

Maccabi used to play their games at the Italian Sports Club in Germiston in the ABC Motsepe League but moved to Dobsonville this season where they have struggled to attract crowds.

“Yes, that is what we want. We want to expose the team. We used to play in the northern suburbs and we are now in Soweto.

“Advancing further will help us to expose the players,” he said.

AmaTuks are not easy to beat and Tsotetsi knows that as he had to settle for a point in a league game earlier this season.

Maccabi defender and Tsotsetsi’s former team-mate at Jomo Cosmos, Thapelo Tshilo, said they are aware of AmaTuks’ threat.

“We drew with them. We know how they approach games,” he said.

AmaTuks rely on experienced striker Mame Niang but that doesn’t faze Tshilo who has faced the Togolese a few times already.

“I have played against Mame Niang before and I know his strong points and also his weaknesses.”