AmaZulu’s Antipas salutes players
AMAZULU coach Joey Antipas heaped praise on his players for turning around a rough patch that had seen the team falling outside the championship matrix only to sit in fourth place going into the Christmas break.
October was a forgettable month for Antipas and his South African National First Division (NFD) charges following a fourmatch losing streak that triggered calls for his head.
Even the South African media joined in the chorus, with the Durbanbased IsiZulu newspaper Ilanga publishing an article demanding the sacking of Antipas.
Four straight wins have, however, turned around AmaZulu’s fortunes, with the fans particularly enjoying the latest 6-1 thumping of Milano United at Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban on Sunday.
And Antipas is pleased with the level of confidence shown by his players to finish the first half of the season on a high. “There is a bit of a spring in the step for the guys after the past few results we’ve been getting. The most important thing for us now is to work hard because there is no lowly side in the NFD,” Antipas told his club’s official website. “The players’ attitude has been amazing in the past two months, as we have managed to turn around our fortunes and grind results even in the most difficult conditions. “The good thing is that we finished the first half of the season with aplomb. It gives us confidence going forward because you never know what can happen. We now have to look forward to the second round (of the season) by going out fighting.” AmaZulu go into the festive season break sitting on fourth position with 23 points from 15 matches. The winner of the NFD gains automatic promotion into the Absa Premiership, while the second, third and fourth placed teams join the team that finishes 15th in the Premiership in a four-team promotional play-off. The winner the promotional playoff joins the Premiership. — @ RaymondJaravaza of