Coach lauds City players

Bernard Molekwa (above) has tried to deflect the attention away from his own achievements after leading Polokwane City into the Telkom Knockout semifinals in his first full season as head coach.

City will play Bloemfontein Celtic at Peter Mokaba Stadium tomorrow, with a fantastic chance of making it into a first ever Premier Soccer League cup final. The 40-year-old Molekwa is carving out a reputation as a fine young local coach, and has already beaten Mamelodi Sundowns in the league this season, as well as finding a way past Orlando Pirates in the TKO quarterfinals.

“I know I am a young coach and I still want to learn. I have ambition and I am trying by all means. I am surrounded by good people, I have the support of management and the chairman and my technical team,” said Molekwa.

“And credit has to go to the players, they are doing their jobs. It is not about me it is about the team pulling in the same direction. I just get the ship running.”

City have sparkled at times this season, with Rodney Ramagalela and Rendani Ndou forming a particularly dangerous attacking partnership. But Rise and Shine have also been inconsistent – they have only recorded two league wins in 10 matches and lost four in a row in September.

“Obviously we have had our ups and downs this season, especially in the league where we have lost so many points.”

City will need to be at their best tomorrow against a buoyant Celtic side, who are on a roll under new coach Veselin Jelusic. Phunya Sele Sele are just two points off the top of the league table and have lost just twice this season in all competitions.