Dan Malesela has revealed that they fight healthy as co-coaches at DStv Premiership side Royal AM.
The Durban outfit recently brought Malesela to work with Khabo Zondo, who was initially roped in as a replacement for John Maduka. The Malawian dumped the Shauwn Mkhize-owned side for Maritzburg United.
‘Thwihli Thwahla’ kicked off their 2022/23 season with a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, and coach Dan Malesela believes it will set the tone for the coming games. He, however, admits it will be a tough season.
“Well, lots of arguments and debate at night, it good but we fight healthy, and no one sleeps at night angry, I always say to coaches I like solutions, I don’t want problem,” said Malesela.
He explained that the trick against Arthur Zwane’s Chiefs was to ‘manage the game’.
“It was always going to be tough. Kaizer Chiefs came with a lot of new players, quality players, to be frank. Our plan was to manage the game, we did so but not the prettiest, but we did so.
“What counts there are three points, and we don’t want to find ourselves late in the season telling players that this is like a cup final while we play in the league, collecting points now, not waiting for critical phases of the season,” Malesela added.
The revival of Andre De Jong, who was not a success at AmaZulu, has left both Malesela and his fellow co-coach Zondo surprised. They both believe the New Zealand striker can only get better as their style of football seems to suit him.
“You know I watched him at AmaZulu FC, and when I got here, I said, wow, he is a fresh blood, he is going to play, and he was very impressive in the pre-season, he really surprised me, and he can only get better.”
Royal AM’s next task is against Chippa United before they play Stellenbosch. Both games are away with their next home game against Orlando Pirates.
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