AmaZulu interim coach Brandon Truter is confident that his troops have the strength of character needed to force themselves back into the top four of the DStv Premiership.
Truter’s mandate is to ensure that Usuthu finish in the top four and the coach’s faith is so high that he proclaimed that he is gunning for qualification for the Caf Champions League – second spot in the league.
“I wouldn’t have taken the job if I didn’t back myself and also doing research and knowing AmaZulu with the quality of players available,” said Truter, who was recently appointed Usuthu interim coach after the departure of Benni McCarthy.
Truter has won the first two league matches in charge at the club, a 1-0 win over Baroka and Maritzburg United. And the two positive results have had Truter believing that he can lead the AmaZulu, from the current seventh place to the second spot.
“I had no doubt the mandate [to finish in the top four] will be reached. I feel confident about reaching that mandate and even confident about maybe qualifying for the Champions League again by ending second,” he added.
Usuthu are nine points away from second place with five matches remaining.
“So that’s still possible with 15 points to play for. I back my boys. There’s quality throughout this team. Defending like we did [against Maritzburg], we saw the quality come through. Luvuyo Memela could have wrapped the game up and we have guys like Andre de Jong, Siphesihle Maduna and the youngster who came in [Tshepang Moremi].
“We also had Keagan Buchanan coming back and have Tapelo Xoki outside and many other players coming back, like Siphelele Mthembu.
“Unfortunately, Bongi Ntuli is gone for the season, same with Augustine Mulenga. But there are many players who can add value and strengthen the team, and we’ll get better. The derbies [Royal AM and Golden Arrows] are tricky and it can go either way as well, but I’m fairly confident in my boys,” concluded Truter.
