Swallows will want a soaring start for new coaches
MOROKA SWALLOWS will be hoping that the saying “a new broom sweeps clean” proves true when they host Kaizer Chiefs in a massively important Premiership clash at Dobsonville Stadium tonight.
The Birds parted ways with Fani Madida – their coach – on Monday following poor results that sees them stuck second last on the 16-team table and fast beginning to look like a team destined for the National First Division.
They welcome a Chiefs side still top of the table but eager to ensure their lead, which has been whittled down to eight points, does not dwindle any further as the season draws to a close.
With defeat for either side sure to have a dire effect on those goals, the match should deliver 90 minutes of excitement for supporters but tension for the benches.
Of course, it will not be anything like that incredible 5-5 draw back in 1980, given the two sides’ lack of superstar quality in their sides.
And it is sure not going to be an open affair, given the propensity of the current crop of coaches to play to avoid defeat.
But Goodman Mazibuko, who will be in charge alongside ex-Chiefs captain Patrick Mabedi – who has been elevated to the senior side from the development team until the club finds Madida’s replacement – have nothing to lose but more to gain by going for broke.
As it is, the change might just have a positive effect on Swallows, history having shown that teams often outdo themselves whenever a new man takes over. The self-same Swallows played out of their skins in the first round and held Chiefs 1-1 in Madida’s maiden match in charge following the departure of Zeca Marques. It was the first time Amakhosi dropped points in a flying start that saw them threaten to become SA’s own “Invincibles” ala the Arsenal side of the 2003/04 season that captured the English Premiership title unbeaten.
Just this past weekend, Swallows suffered a defeat that proved to be Madida’s comeuppance at Black Aces.
Amazayoni had themselves shunted Clive Barker to their development side and replaced him with technical director Jacob Sakala, who got them the win.
Proof that a new broom does sweep clean, perhaps!
Football players often explain this phenomenon as coming from their desire to impress the new man in charge. For Swallows though, they have to do more than just get into the new coach’s good books – the Birds have their careers to take care of as relegation usually means a huge drop in salaries, if not an end of careers sometimes.
And with a good number of them in the twilight of their careers, the likes of Siyabonga Nomvethe, Lerato Chabangu, Greg Etafia and Lefa Tsutsulupa cannot afford to be part of a relegated team.
To avoid what is fast beginning to look like their inevitable doom, they will need to play out of their skins tonight and register a rare victory over a Chiefs side at its most vulnerable since the start of the season.
Stuart Baxter’s side are on a twomatch losing streak and appear ready for the taking, if only Swallows can find inspiration in having a new man in charge.