Time for us to stand up Moloto
Time for us to stand up Moloto
Posted: 2008-05-23 06:40
Mamelodi Sundowns caretaker coach Trott Moloto along with his counterpart at Mpumalanga Black Aces Kenny Ndlazi believe the Nedbank Cup Final on Saturday is a platform for local coaches to prove their worth while at the same raising the profile of local black coaches.
If you are black in this country, you will always be underestimated, and will have to always do the incredible to get the slightest recognition, says Moloto.
But this is a time for us to prove that we have the ability to do the job and deserve to take charge. So ke yona nako [this is the time] for us to stand up, he added at a pre-match press conference on Thursday.
"Check the Bible and see what happened in the battle between David and Goliath. And, by the way, Aces never go to extra-time"
- Peter Koutroulis
Ironically, Molotos future at the helm of Sundowns squad remains in doubt despite having fared well since taking over as a foreign coach is rumoured to be on his way to the club to elbow him off the top seat.
This is an opportunity for us local coaches to be counted up there as coaches that can be trusted. I pay tribute to Gavin Hunt and Craig Rosslee for all the good that they showed this season with their teams, said Ndlazi, adding that his team is ready for the weekend Final.
Our team is focused. We have senior players, like Eddie Dinha, that have been there before and who are playing a crucial role in helping our youngsters prepare for the match.
As much as we are aware that there is big money to be won in this competition, what motivates us even further is the prospect of being able to play in Africa, in the Confederations Cup, if we win.
I dont know whether there has ever been a team from the lower divisions playing in this continental competition, said Ndlazi whose team arrived in Johannesburg on Wednesday and has already trained at the match venue.
Dubbed the David versus Goliath, the Final provides Sundowns with a chance to redeem themselves in a season in which they have failed to defend their League title.
Let us see whether they (Aces) can stand the 90 minutes on Saturday, said Moloto who will be without Benson Mhlongo.
Benson picked up an ankle injury at training this morning which means he is on Saturday and will also not be available to honour his call-up to the national team, added Moloto.
Mhlongo collided with a team-mate at training and left the training ground walking with the aid of crutches.
He joins injured goalkeeper Calvin Marlin and defender Mbulelo Mabizela and suspended defender Luvhengo Mungomeni, who received his third yellow card in the 4-0 loss to Free State Stars last Sunday.
Aces, dubbed David by virtue of their playing in the lower division, believe that Biblical justice will prevail on Saturday.
Check the Bible and see what happened in the battle between David and Goliath. And, by the way, Aces never go to extra-time, says Aces CEO Peter Koutroulis.
Comment on this article:
TERMS OF USE: The comments posted below do not reflect the views of KickOff.com. Users are reminded that no misuse of this comment facility will be tolerated. Any abusive, racist or inflammatory comments will be deleted and the user banned. Please report abusive posts to editor@kickoff.com