Malesela happy to be regarded as underdogs

The underdog tag may just be what gets Dan Malesela and his TS Galaxy team to tip the scales as they did when they won the Nedbank Cup in May.

This is why Malesela is not intimidated at the prospect of facing Nigerian giants Enyimba in the Caf Confederation Cup play-offs later this month.

Galaxy face Enyimba in Nigeria on October 27 for the first leg, with the return game on November 3 at the Mbombela Stadium. There was a general belief that it was perhaps the end of the road for the Rockets after the draw was made last week.

But Malesela said they are used to such talk and it doesn’t bother them anymore. “That story has always been there. Even when we played the Nedbank it was there. It was always all over for us,” he said.

“Only after we have played them, will I say ‘ah yeah, maybe that person was right’. You don’t make such conclusions before the game. I saw some clips of this team, they are a fine team, yes. But you cannot say they are an extraordinary team. I think we can compete with them,” Malesela told Phakaaathi Plus.

He said he didn’t really wish for any opponent as such things bring unnecessary stress.

“I didn’t expect or wish for anyone. I don’t torture myself to say the draw must come like this or that. And when it comes it is different and you are shocked,” he said.

Enyimba – who are former Caf Champions League winners – boast some burly players who are known for bullying their opponents.

“Size doesn’t matter. It all depends on how people apply themselves,” was all Malesela would say about the size of the Nigerian players. Before the trip to Enyimba, Galaxy will meet GladAfrica Championship leaders JDR Stars as they play catch-up in the league.

Galaxy climbed to seventh position in the standings after beating Swallows FC 2-1 at Dobsonville Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Malesela said his team are trying hard to manage the workload of playing league and continental football.

“We will try and manage things. We have ways. I know how to manage these things. At some point it will be very difficult,” he said.

On playing JDR Stars on Saturday, he said: “It’s another tough one. They are competing with and troubling seasoned campaigners in the division. But we will see.”