‘…But I’m not complaining’: Seema on challenges he had at Sekhukhune

Lehlohonolo Seema, prior to his Sekhukhune United dismissal, pointed out two key challenges he had to overcome to keep the team within the Betway Premiership’s top five.

The 44-year-old was shown the exit door on Thursday just after addressing the media in the Nedbank Cup pre-match press conference at Nedbank headquarters in Sandton.

His sacking followed weeks of speculation and reports linking Eric Tinkler to the Babina Noko coaching position. Seema was asked about his approach to dealing with recurring rumours of being sacked – a familiar situation in his previous coaching roles. He revealed he had cultivated a “thick skin”.

Reflecting on his second spell at Sekhukhune, which began at the beginning of the season when he replaced Peter Hyballa, Seema acknowledged the difficulties he encountered.

He believes that missing pre-season with the team and not being able to sign his own players as a result of his late appointment posed significant challenges for him.

SEEMA’S SEKHUKHUNE CHALLENGES – MISSING PRE-SEASON & NOT SIGNING HIS OWN PLAYERS

“I think I’ve been doing that [dealing with rumours of his sacking] for the whole of my coaching career,” said Seema.

“I’ve developed a very thick skin, and I’ve learnt to block the external factors because I’d be doing an injustice to the group. I have to always make sure that I’m at my best. I always continue. I don’t focus on what people say on social media. It’s easy to sit at home and type, and it goes viral and gets everywhere.

“Also, I always say I can only control what I can. I think Sekhukhune – since match number one, the team has never been out of the top five. I think it’s for the first time for this club.

“If you check the kind of players the club has, yes, they are quality. But we had to dig deep.

“I didn’t have a pre-season with the club. I didn’t have time to sign the players. But I’m not complaining about the kind of players the club signed because they are good players.

“But it’s a process. I don’t want to mention names, but you will know most of them [players]. When was the last time they played? You understand?

“Some of them, you don’t know where they were, but look at them now, they are getting there. So, when things are like this, they need to be managed better so that the injuries are not much.”

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