Casric Stars boss Mthombeni plays down promotion ambitions

Motsepe Foundation Championship newcomers Casric Stars co-owner-cum-coach Bucs Mthombeni has brushed off suggestions that they are one of the promotion contenders.

They came into the league after purchasing the status from now-defunct Free State Stars.

The Mpumalanga side has proved to be a difficult team to beat this season. They are joint top scorers, alongside log leaders Polokwane City, with 17 goals.

Besides the fact that it’s their first season in a professional football setup, Casric have won seven out of their 12 matches. It’s also a second joint with Hungry Lions for the most wins so far.

CASRIC STARS ON BUILDING PHASE

But Mthombeni says the club is still in the building phase and not thinking of promotion.

“We are still in the building phase. I cannot talk about promotion but remember in life. If you open a door and God says here is the gift. You look up at the sky, and you see the light in your face. We will receive it. So, we will appreciate all the positive results that come, but we don’t want to put ourselves under pressure. We are still newborn babies. We are still fighting. Remember, we just arrived here, and we can’t just start talking about promotion.

MTHOMBENI ON COACH/OWNER ROLE

“My work here is to be a coach. I am a coach. When I stand here, whenever the referee comes to me, they come to me as a coach. I cannot compare myself with the legends. They are far better than me. Remember, the likes of Nnditsheni Nemasisi (JDR Stars owner/coach) have been doing it from the ABC Motsepe League level. I don’t want to talk about myself. I am still like a person that is learning. I am standing here now talking to you because I am a coach.”

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