Dan Malesela, head coach of the Marumo Gallants, has said he has a game plan in store for the Mamelodi Sundowns when the two teams face off in the intriguing Carling Knockout Cup semifinal fixture on Sunday, 10 November, at the Dr RP Molemela Stadium. He has been working with his technical team on adjusting the players to execute the plan in the pulsating encounter.
The winner thereof will compete for the trophy in the final match, destined for 23 November in Bloemfontein’s Toyota Stadium.
Malesela is facing his former star-studded Sundowns team, wearing the underdog tag. His underdog ploy is memorable for pulling a major upset in South African football history when he won the Nedbank Cup in 2019 with his former outfit, TS Galaxy, while campaigning in the second-tier, the National First Division. It was Malesela’s maiden major trophy as coach, and Galaxy’s first too. Victory against The Brazilians will bring him closer to lifting his second title, and the Gallants’ first-ever.
Given the magnitude of the semi-final face-off and the high stakes on offer in the championship, Malesela , or “Dance” as he is affectionately known, said his charges were psyched up to unleash their full potential against Cup-favourites, Sundowns.
“We will adjust to everything the game demands and requires us to do. We will follow the game as it commands us, and play as it guides us. We will take the order of the opponents, particularly when defending, then when you have the ball, you make your own orders,” said the master of the underdog ploy.
However, Malesela has underscored the teamwork and fear factor in the team’s quest for glory.
“We are beginning to play and think as a team, not individuals. The biggest thing to this match is to remove fear, which stems from respecting too much. Yes, you must respect each other but do not overdo it. Be reasonable enough with how much respect you show,” said Malesela.
Arubi
The Gallants’ vice-captain and goalkeeper, Washington Arubi and Siyabonga Shai, also attributed to the teamwork in progressing to the semifinal. It inspired them to come back to beat Polokwane City 3 – 2 in the round 16, and the defending champions Stellenbosch FC 1 – 0 in the tournament’s quarterfinal. Shai scored the all-important goal to edge out the Stellies and he also scored in elimination of City, 3-2.
Arubi’s contributed significantly guarding the goalpost, and has conceded fewer goals (2 goals), in this tournament which saw his counterpart keepers conceding three to five goals.
The semifinal fixture will kickoff at 15:00. Tickets are available at TicketPro outlets countrywide at R50 each.
