FC Tshabalala’s coach, Simpiwe Siyongwana, was pleased with his team’s performance in the SAFA Amathole Hollywoodbets Regional League Stream E after they finished the season in fourth place with 21 points.
His comments come after the Amathole Hollywoodbets Regional League Stream E kicked off their 2024/2025 season last month.
Few teams were in action in the division, playing their first-round matches last month, but the Butterworth team, FC Tshabalala, was not scheduled to play.
They will start their league campaign next month on 18 January against Ngqamakhwe United FC at home.
Last season was the first time FC Tshabalala had competed in the Amathole Hollywoodbets Regional League Stream E, and coach Siyongwana was happy with their performance as they managed to finish the season in a respectable position.
“Our objective in our first season in the Amathole Hollywoodbets Regional League Stream E was to avoid relegation, and we did it,” said Siyongwana.
He noted that their players adapted very well to the Regional League last season, managing to register six wins, draw three, and suffer four defeats in 14 matches.
Siyongwana mentioned that his team struggled in aerial duels because they had short defenders, but this season they hope to rectify this by reinforcing their team.
Furthermore, he said that although they are using a young squad, this season they aim to work harder than last season to ensure they can compete against any team in the division.
Siyongwana also highlighted that improving their goal-scoring capabilities and reducing the number of goals conceded are key targets.
In the recent season, FC Tshabalala scored 17 goals and conceded 16, and the technical team wants to improve on this performance. Siyongwana said his team will be working hard this season to improve on their last season’s performance, and for now, the players will go to rest and enjoy the December holidays with their families.
