All Stars mentor has work cut out

CAPE Town All Stars coach Brandon Truter has had to use all his management skills this week as the club prepare to face Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 with a cloud hanging over their future.

All Stars owner Lunga Ntwana has reportedly agreed to the sale of his club’s National First Division status to Swallows FC‚ whose rapid fall down the South African pyramid in recent seasons sees them in the ABC Motsepe League.

Truter said the move was an obvious worry for the players and could not have come at a worse time ahead of a massive home clash against Sundowns at the Athlone Stadium on Friday.

“When the news broke on Friday, we were about to go into a team meeting and all my manmanagement skills had to come to the fore.

“It came as a surprise to all of us‚” Truter said. “Our feedback has only come from the CEO – the owner has not yet addressed the players. But it is his club‚ he has the right to sell.”

All Stars are unbeaten in seven matches in the NFD and are outsiders for the promotion playoffs‚ with their achilles-heel being‚ like most South African clubs‚ their inability to convert chances.

Truter was also glowing in his praise of Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane‚ who was sent off against Cape Town City last Friday.

“We are facing a coach who is ranked among the top 10 in the world – we are certainly underdogs but it gives my players a chance to showcase their ability and test the ability of the coaching staff as well.” – TimesLIVE