The Team of Choice enjoyed an impressive 2017/18 campaign, ending fourth on the final Absa Premiership standings while narrowly missing out on Nedbank Cup glory in the final.
Davids, a nominee for the season-ending Coach of the Season award, says he was proud of his charges this season, but is determined not to let complacency set in, especially after club owner Kadodia’s public statement in demanding a top-five finish once again next year.
“I’m proud of them for what they’ve achieved,” Davids said. “It’s very important now to set our goals and not be happy with this, but if someone at the start of the season said you’d be in a final and finish in the top four, you’d label it as successful.
“But we can’t stop here: we have to set the next goal, otherwise you start the season unconsciously giving 10% less, which is definitely not what I want from my players. Yes they must get the praise for how they’ve improved, but they must now go for the next goal.”
Despite their successful season, Davids reveals the club actually fell short of their initial targets.
“ We wanted to improve our position from last season, but we set a target for ourselves, and missed it by one point – we wanted 45 points to get into a top six position, and wanted to get into a cup final,” he said. “But maybe that was the wrong approach – we should’ve aimed to win it.”
Davids adds that the improvement of individual players under his watch was another highlight of his memorable season in Pietermartizburg.
“When I came to the club, a player like [Siphesihle] Ndlovu was still playing in the Castle League, while Fortune Makaringe waited for his chance … so they’re improving individually,” he said. “How [Pogiso] Sanoka developed his game to where it is now is unbelievable, and he is now one of the best defenders in South Africa. And [Bandile] Shandu as well, Siyanda Xulu, Bevan Fransman … I can go on.”