I won’t wait for people to praise me
On beating SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup
Look, there was definitely some bit of pressure on my boys going into the game. I could see that they were a bit nervous. There was no pressure on my side because I had faith in them. I believed they could go all out and upset SuperSport (United). We’ve done it before, beating another big side in Golden Arrows, so this for me wasn’t something that wasn’t unattainable. I told my players at half-time that we can come back. I made the changes that I did knowing that I’m going for a kill during the last stanza and I’m glad the boys responded well. I have massive respect for coaches like Kaitano Tembo, who has had to build his way up, and beating someone like that definitely shows we are on the right track.
On his military attire
I wore that to honour a late brother, who passed on a few weeks ago. And I’m going to do so with every game until the final of the Nedbank Cup... and until the last game of the league (season). It’s going to be the uniform, ha, ha, ha. He meant a lot to this team and we are going to carry his soldiering spirit with us for a very long time.
On who he generally prefers to face
I definitely prefer facing the big teams. It’s a good challenge for myself as a coach and for the players too. People tend to believe in coaches who speak fancy English, so for most of us, we tend to have to prove ourselves first, and what better way to prove yourself than beating big sides. And I’ve said that to the players before, that they should dream for bigger challenge and grab those once presented to them. I’ll be happy to one day see 10 to 11 of my players moving to greener pastures and I believe these kind of opportunities from the Nedbank Cup will do just that for them. It’s not all about the money, because in the end, it won’t be my money. It’s not our money. I tell them they need to believe they can be the Themba Zwanes too. They have to go all out and make names for themselves in this competition.
On Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila previously winning the Nedbank Cup
I always emphasise to them that it’s not Marumo Gallants who are the defending champions, but Tshakhuma. Even in the cup, it’s written TTM. We beat SuperSport last season in the first round to go all the way to the finals... I’m the one who signed those players. Marumo came with their new coach, they didn’t believe in us, but we had already done the job. Marumo only took over when we were about to go to the finals, so we are definitely the defending champions. All those top coaches from top nations couldn’t even match me. Football is cruel though as we know it at times. But it’s water under the bridge and I’m prepared to take these boys all the way to the final. I won’t wait for people to praise me once I’m dead and say that I was a good coach. I owe it to myself to prove it now when I’m still alive. I tell my boys they too can do it.
On the club’s league position
We are well aware that our position in the league isn’t a good one, but we are taking it one game at a time. I’ve spoken to my boys to fight hard in the league. We need to go up. I am aware they might get distracted with the Nedbank Cup glory, but they need to focus on the bigger picture too, which is the league, and making sure we finish the season higher than where we are right now. A Top Eight finish is attainable, it’s possible because you win one or two games, you are out of the relegation zone. It’s pretty tight where we find ourselves and we will not relax at all. When it’s time to focus on the league, we will give it our undivided attention and when it’s time for (the) Nedbank Cup, we will switch and go all out too. We will not get disturbed, that I can promise.
On his coaching journey so far
I’m a founder of this team. As you know, I was a professional football player, I played for Bush Bucks and Black Leopards... but I made mistakes because I wasn’t used to money. I drank a lot and when I stopped playing, I asked myself a lot of questions on the life I want to live after playing. That’s when the love for coaching began. I was determined to be better and do right. I wanted to get involved in coaching so that I can advise and teach youngsters not to do the same mistakes that I made. That’s when I started TTM, but my finances were lacking somehow and I got help from a wealthier friend of mine, who’s the president of the club. It’s been quite a journey for me and I’m thankful it’s finally paying off now.
This week we hear from Lucky Nelukau – Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila head coach