AmaTuks coach explains what makes Baroka dangerous after coaching change
University of Pretoria coach Tlisane Motaung has explained why Baroka FC‘s coaching change makes the Limpopo side more dangerous.
The Motsepe Foundation Championship sides AmaTuks and Baroka will renew their rivalry in the PSL Promotional/Relegation Playoffs on Wednesday, 12 June. Kickoff at Global Stadium is at 3pm.
In the reverse fixture played last week, AmaTuks edged Bakgakga with a slender 1-0 victory; this was before the Polokwane-based outfit made a coaching change.
Coach Dan Malesela was suspended last week and replaced as interim coach by the outspoken Morgan Mimmila.
Motaung says facing a team with a new coach poses a lot of danger because all the players will raise their hands, wanting to impress the new man in charge.
TLISANE MOTAUNG ON FACING BAROKA FC UNDER A NEW COACH
In this case, Motaung expects Baroka to be a different side under Mammila’s guidance for the remainder of the playoffs.
“What I’m excited about is that I’m playing Baroka when they just had a new coach. But it’s so dangerous to play a team that has a new coach; every player there wants to impress,” said Motaung. “That’s what I said coming to this game. Fortunately, we’re playing Baroka now when they got a new coach. They want to play well and impress the man at the helm.
“As a coach, I’m not going to say I’m hoping that one does what. I have the responsibility to focus on those two games. Whether it’s Richards Bay FC or Baroka, it’s football we have to accept the results.”
With two matches remaining, Motaung insists that promotion is still open to any team. Richards Bay FC have collected four points, AmaTuks have three points, and Baroka have amassed a point. All three teams have played two games each.
“It’s open for anyone; at this stage, we are still optimistic that we are challenging it [PSL promotion]. On Saturday, Baroka played [a 0-0 draw] against Richards Bay, it brings Baroka back into play.
“We are left with two games; we don’t need to panic at this stage. Maybe if we had drawn the previous game and lost this one,” he added.
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