Marumo Gallants coach Dan Malesela has played down ‘warnings’ from his Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila counterpart Lucky Nelukau ahead of the Nedbank Cup semifinal on Friday.
TTM will host Gallants in the much anticipated first semifinal at Thohoyandou Stadium.
Nelukau has been the one doing most of the talking ahead of the match to such an extent, warning Malesela that he could lose his job, just like other colleagues who came up against Nelukau before this match.
“People talk, I have heard people talking in football for a long time, but talking does not play football,” Malesela told the media in Polokwane on Wednesday.
“It’s just mind games. I don’t resort to mind games because they are just a waste of time.
“Get into a match; then you will get surprised. It’s a different ball game; it’s a different thing when you talk outside football. But it makes the game interesting and attracts people, so fortunately for me, I don’t play that game,” he said.
Regarding who he thinks is the legitimate Champion following claims by TTM that it’s their title to defend, Malesela had this to say.
“This thing is neither here nor there. I don’t know, you know, few players took part in this thing, for me it’s immaterial.
“There is a new cup and new medals to play for. That’s what the focus should be on. If there is doubt, we eliminate the doubt that you are Champions, then you become Champions immediately.”
