“Sorry for spoiling the party”. These were Brandon Truter’s parting words following Sekhukhune United’s narrow 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in a DStv Premiership encounter.
Visiting Sekhukhune turned the FNB Stadium into a sombre atmosphere on a day one of the country’s biggest clubs had everything to celebrate.
Truter’s second win on the trot since taking over the Sekhukhune job came on Chiefs’ 53rd anniversary.
The Soweto giants would have, no doubt, wanted to cap off the 53rd celebrations with a third successive win.
KAIZER CHIEFS CELEBRATIONS SPOILT
But that was not to be, as Sekhukhune scored an early second-half solitary goal via Vusi Mncube’s boot.
“Happy birthday to Chiefs. It’s 53 years. You’re a big part of our history in South African football. But sorry for spoiling the party, but happy birthday,” Truter said at the end of his post-match interview on SuperSport.
With the two successive wins moving them to 10th place on the log table, Truter is relieved. However, he still warns that it’s still a work in progress.
He took over during the FIFA World Cup break from Kaitano Tembo, who left the team on the wrong end of the DStv Premiership table.
Babina Noko only won two out of 12 games under Tembo despite heavily investing in the squad.
“It’s still a work in progress, but I’m happy with the efforts. The guys stuck to the plan, and we had to manage it,” explained Truter.
CLOSE SHOP
He added that they had to wait until the 80th minute to close shop at the back and defend their narrow lead.
Amakhosi threw everything at the visitors, but Badra Ali Sangare stood resolute in goals for Sekhukhune.
Of course, Truter’s high-pressing charges still created so many opportunities but were unable to capitalise.
Truter said his charges would now get a well-deserved rest after being in camp since 27 December.
Their next fixture is next Saturday, away to Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town.
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