On the draw against SuperSport United
This has been a tough week for us as a club and myself as a person but we have to keep fighting and taking on more challenges because that is what life is all about. On Friday, we had a tough match against SuperSport United and we started very well. But unfortunately, the early red card (to defender Gabriel Michaels) took us off (the game). But we bounced back and created more goal scoring opportunities, but we couldn't convert them. And to be fair on SuperSport, they also created chances and missed as well. And at the end of the day we had to take a point. The way we prepared and set up our team for that match, I believe we could have won it because a win is something that we needed. The red card itself didn't change anything in terms of how we were going to play, we wanted to attack and we did. But the only difference was that the red card left us one man short in one area, which was at the back. SuperSport United had their own plans and ambitions going to the match and we also had ours. Our goal was simple, to win the match and keep our chances of surviving relegation alive. We had chances to score but at the end of the day, we didn't. After the match we were OK. We were playing a match away from home and in a normal situation, a point away from home is good. But in terms of the situation we were in it wasn't good. But after the match, the mood was not that sad because at the time we had not been relegated yet. When we left Polokwane, we still had hopes of surviving relegation.
On getting relegated after Richards Bay beat Orlando Pirates
The following day, Orlando Pirates were playing against Richards Bay, and I did not watch the game to be honest with you. As a person I try to focus on things that I can control. We were hoping that things were going to turn in our favour but watching that match would not have meant I could have done something about it. And when I finally heard the news that Richards Bay had beaten Orlando Pirates which meant we were relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, it was a big disappointment of the season. And for a lot of players, the reality of going down to the second tier has its own realities and conversations that must be had (with the club). So, it was just one of those things that one has to go through, but it's not a nice feeling. The players, especially the young ones also know that these are parts of the ups and downs of life, not just football. We can't run away from the fact that in a football career, getting relegated is a big disappointment. For most of the players in our team, it was their first time playing in the DStv Premiership, and they know now what is required to stay up and what needs to be done to come back up again. And from now we have just to move forward.
On the lessons learnt this season
If you look at all the matches that we have played since the turn of the year, it tells you the story of this season. When you compare the end of the season and the first half of the season, which is what practically let the team down, you can see the difference. This year we have played about 10 matches, and based on those 10 matches, we are number eight on the log. Statistically, the first half of the season and the second half, are two different stories. But unfortunately, in football, it's not about the first half or the second half of the season, it's about the whole season in its entirety because it's still one season after all. It was too little, too late. We just have to take what we can going forward and do things differently. Personally, this experience gave me an opportunity to part my two cents worth of experience with some of the youngsters in our team. It gave me an opportunity to show them scenarios, where you try to read the play instead of reacting. You must always try to be on the front foot than to be under pressure. When you join a team, you look at what is at stake, can you help, can you use your experience and what is possible and what is not. And that is the reason why I joined and it was a good experience overall.
On what the future holds
I should be meeting with the chairman sometime this week to discuss the way forward. My contract with the team ends at the end of the season. I'm very much open to going down to the Motsepe Foundation Championship with the team but right now that is the discussion we must have first. I would love to help the team get back into the DStv Premiership. In terms of what the team must do to win promotion, first thing first, you need to look at who wants to stay and who is going. And does the budget make sense to keep whoever you want to keep, things like that. But if you look at how this team is setup, in the Motsepe Foundation Championship there is an U23 rule and already we have lots of players who are U23. And then you look at the mentality, like who won't shy from the problems that come with traveling to tough places. And fortunately the core of this team are players who helped us gain promotion, so I would think that they have that experience. And now the only question is that can they do it again. But we still have a few matches to go before the end of the season and I want to thank our supporters for what they did during this whole time. I know it's a very difficult time, and I hope they can continue to support and not give up on us. We are also hurt as much as they are.
Tshepo Gumede,
Cape Town Spurs defender
