Kruger United right-winger Tabiso Mpame has disclosed the reason behind the team’s remarkable form in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Kruger, who were promoted from the ABC Motsepe League and are in their first season in the SA second tier, started the campaign on the wrong foot. This led to their former coach, Vusi Mkhatshwa, tendering his resignation in September 2024.
Under the tutelage of Mkhatshwa, the club only managed to accumulate four points out of a possible 15, leading to his departure from the Mpumalanga outfit.
Abram Mongoya, whom the club roped in at the beginning of the season to serve as the assistant coach to Mkhatshwa, took over the coaching reins at Kruger.
Mongoya has managed to improve things, making Kruger one of the most in-form teams in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
As things stand, Kruger are now in the title race in the National First Division with Durban City FC, who are sitting on top of the table with 46 points, just six points ahead of the second-placed Kruger. Both teams have played 24 games.
TABISO MPAME WEIGHS IN ON KRUGER UNITED’S TURNAROUND
Mpame, who joined Kruger in October 2024 after his unpleasant departure from Casric Stars, noted that the mentality within the team and the support from the club’s hierarchy have played a pivotal role.
The former Cape Town Spurs FC man highlighted that coach Mongoya’s management of the locker room has increased their motivation and eagerness to win games.
“I joined the club a week after coach Abram Mongoya took over. I think the turnaround is all about the mentality of the group that we have. The guys’ mentality within the group and the mentality of our technical staff is amazing,” Mpame told FARPost.
“I couldn’t say less about what the turnaround or turning point was because it’s just the hunger and desire to win every game. The way we train and apply ourselves during the games is something different and special. It made everything stick and gel well.
“You might see the results, but behind everything, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes that nobody knows about, which is our hard work, belief, and the culture that we have created within the team.”
The 28-year-old continued: “The support we get from the club’s management goes a long way. We all know that if the changing room is well managed, then the club is bound to excel at any point.”
Kruger’s next league game will be against Black Leopards on Sunday, 13 April, at KaNyamazane Stadium. The game will start at 15:00.
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