In the face of early-season adversity, Kruger United head coach Abram Mongoya has thrown down the gauntlet with a bold declaration, pledging to completely transform the club’s fortunes by their tenth league assignment.
The newly-promoted Mpumalanga outfit has endured a baptism of fire in the top-flight, quickly turning into the league’s whipping boys after picking up defeats against Kaizer Chiefs, Milford FC, Durban City FC, and Orlando Pirates, alongside a solitary draw against Marumo Gallants.
Despite the heavy 4-0 drubbing suffered at the hands of Pirates at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night—where the Buccaneers blew them away in the second half—Mongoya insists the early signs of progress are there, even as his side remains rooted to the bottom of the Betway Premiership standings with just one point from a possible 15.
Looking ahead, the road does not get any easier. In their next five fixtures, Kruger United are scheduled to lock horns with TS Galaxy, Stellenbosch FC, Chippa United FC, Richards Bay FC, and eventually Polokwane City FC in what will be their tenth league match of the campaign.
‘THE BOYS MUST TRUST THE PROCESS,’ SAYS ABRAM MONGOYA
Coincidentally, Mongoya has pinpointed their tenth fixture against Polokwane City FC as the official turning point for the club.
Addressing the media following the loss to Pirates, Mongoya issued a passionate message to his squad, technical team, and management, urging all stakeholders to stay patient and trust the ongoing transition.
“Yes, I think the boys must trust the process, the technical staff must never doubt, and hopefully the management will also stick to what we’re trying to do because there’s progress from our game one to where we are now,” said Mongoya.
“I think the second round of the season is going to be very difficult to beat Kruger. I can promise by game number ten we will turn things around because we just need one victory.
“For me, if you look at the numbers at halftime, we were above 60-something percent in ball possession. You’ve got more than four chances created versus a team like Orlando Pirates, and they only had two chances. It’s just the unfortunate part where we need to learn in this league that you have to be very decisive with the few opportunities you get.”
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