Indifferent Birds a coaching headache

THE cliché “One swallow does not a summer maketh” is one of the most fatigued and overused expressions in the Queen’s language.

However, it applies to one of South Africa’s oldest Premier Soccer League clubs, for whom winning is as brief as the Arctic Summer, even though it attracts a variety of wildlife.

Moroka Swallows do not know what consistency is in term of results, but when it comes to overturning deficit, they can teach other PSL sides a thing or two.

This season they have built a reputation of being the most lax local side, having twice given away 2-0 leads to lose 3-2.

On Wednesday evening they underwent a character test and with their impressive away 2-1 win over Maritzburg United, they passed with flying colours.

Their caretaker coach Fani Madida is still serving his apprenticeship. “We needed the confidence and also the belief that we know how to win matches.

“We were 2-0 up against Free State Stars and we ended up losing that game 3-2.

“The very same thing happened against AmaTuks and we lost by the same scoreline. This is a timely reminder about their capabilities in terms of winning matches,” Madida said.

“We know that we can come from behind and win matches and the belief is there now. I told them not to leave their character in the dressing-room when they sing. They need to bring it with them.”

For the best part of the season, Lerato Chabangu has carried the team without any complaints but the conspicuous absence of his team mates has been more than noticeably.

In the 3-2 defeat to AmaTuks, Chabangu came off and Swallows’ attacking soul departed with his exit.