New Eagles coach has the belief
NEW Royal Eagles coach Khabo Zondo is happy to inherit a team with better quality players and a higher ranking than when he departed as technical director last season.
Zondo takes over from Serbian Vladislav Heric, who resigned last week. It is his second spell with the club, but his first as head coach, after he served as a technical director when Eagles took flight for the first time under Durban owners last season.
The former Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns coach will make his debut on the bench when Milano United come to uMlazi on Saturday afternoon.
“Let’s not talk of how I left, but why I returned,” said Zondo. “I didn’t even read of the coach’s resignation. When I arrived I was told there’s no coach and that they wanted me to take over as technical director and head coach, so I will continue where I left off.
“I was shown the club’s plans and their desire to take the team to where it is supposed to be.
“It’s all about what they see in me, and why they decided to consider me. That alone gives me the belief that I can do what is expected because I’ll be given the necessary support,” said Zondo in explaining his acceptance of the challenge to promote Eagles.
While he acknowledged the positive state in which his predecessor left the club, Zondo said he would go about things his own way.
“I applaud the previous coach for whatever he has achieved. He put the team in a healthy, competitive situation, three points from No 1.
“Since I haven’t received any reports from him on how he worked with the team I will do what I know I can do, and with the players who are available.”
He added that the “playing personnel had improved a lot in terms of quality” since last season, but that they would miss goalkeeper Mandla Tsengwa and defender Dominic Isaacs, who picked up finger and calf muscle injuries respectively.
Former Bafana Bafana captain Mbulelo Mabizela was being assessed by new fitness trainer Japhet Borges, and his availability this weekend was uncertain, said Zondo.