On the recently-completed season
The 2023/24 season didn't really go well for us. We had more downs than ups, but I think sometimes you can have good players... We had good players, but the way the coach and the technical staff wanted the team to play, we didn't do that. We didn't take the opportunities we had. I also think that we didn't apply ourselves that well. One of the issues was that we didn't have players who suited the style that we were playing as a team. We had great players, but some didn't have what the technical team wanted from the team. So, this past season, 2023/24, I wouldn't say it was about the lessons we've learned from the season before, but about the personnel that we brought in, players who suited the style that the coach wanted us to play. I would like to commend the technical team for the personnel they brought in this season. It's the people they could use in the style of play they wanted us to adopt. So, the only lesson we've learned from the previous season is that we must win our games. We had great players with great personalities. You know, in football, as a group sport, you learn a lot from different personalities. I think the players who stayed from last season realised that there are certain personalities we need in order to compete for the championship. I don't really like singling out players and that's why I say this season we all did our best for the club. We did well but we didn't achieve what we had planned to achieve. But we did well considering that the previous season we didn't do well enough.
On the play-offs
In the play-offs, everybody comes in motivated. There are good players from every team, players who don't really need any motivation. Every- one wants to fight. I mean, in these four games, it's all about getting into the DStv Premiership, so everyone comes in guns blazing. It is very difficult to play in these matches. Two weeks ago, for instance, we played our first game against Baroka FC and won in the last minute. It was a very tough game, and, as the guy from Baroka would say, we went pound-for-pound. Last Wednesday, we lost, and it was disappointing for us. But this is football: someone has to lose, and someone has to win. It was unfortunate that we were on the losing side. I think our preparations for these play-offs were great, but it's not only about preparations for the play-offs. It's about preparations in general. I mean, in the League, we played the first-round match against Baroka and drew 1-1; we also drew 1-1 in the second round. The preparations we had throughout the sea- son helped a lot and they are bearing fruit now in the play-offs because we are still doing what we've been doing throughout the season. I think all the sides in the play-offs are on the same level. So, even though we beat Baroka in the play-offs, they were not different from the side we played against in the league. So, they are on the same level as us fitness-wise. And tactically, they are a good team; how they move the ball shows that they are a good side. At this stage of the season, you can't really question the fitness issue because I think when it comes to fitness, we are on the same level; it's about who applies them- selves best and comes out on top.
On Tuks' chances of gaining promotion
Each one of the teams is motivated to go all the way and qualify for a spot in the Premiership. We just have to apply ourselves correctly and apply whatever message we get from the coaches. The coaches have done their jobs, so we can't expect them to start coaching now. The coach can't be telling us now how much a player must run or how hard a player must work. He can't be coaching technical stuff right now. So we, as the players, just need to apply ourselves correctly and we will see what happens. If we apply ourselves correctly, then we stand a good chance of qualifying for the Premiership. It would really be a great thing for us if we are able to qualify. I mean, as a player, my wish has always been to go and play in the DStv Premiership with Tuks, having been with them for the longest time. I can't see myself in the Premier- ship playing for any team other than Tuks. So, my goal is to play in the elite league, and I would love to do that with AmaTuks. I think the technical team appreciates what the team has been doing so far, in an attempt to qualify us for the Premiership. It would be great for the team and for the club, particularly for the young ones. If we get into the Promised Land, they will also get a chance to play in the Diski Challenge. We just have to give it our all and not put un- necessary pressure on ourselves.
On his stay at the club
That takes me to my main goal, and people think I am overambitious. My main goal is to win the league or some silverware with AmaTuks. This past season for me, I would say it was a good season. You know, as a player, you play week in and week out, and that boosts your confidence and motivates you. So, I would say it was the best season for me, com- pared to the one before, because I contributed a lot towards the team's success. I would have loved to maybe score a goal or two, but it didn't hap- pen. Still, I think I had a good season as an individual. In the professional set-up, I have been with AmaTuks for six seasons now. I have actually been in the structure since 2011, so I have been around. The environment here is peaceful, and AmaTuks is one of the biggest teams in terms of structure, the development setup, and the academy. They are one of the biggest in the country in that regard and one would always want to associate themselves with an environment like that. You also get to motivate the youngsters that are coming through because you are always there around them. We as senior players sometimes get an opportunity to go and coach, and spend time with the youngsters. That's a good way to motivate them. Being around them also motivates us as senior players to do well because they are also looking up to us. They want to do what we are doing. So, it's really great to be around here; the team is quite great, with good people all around. So, in terms of highlights, I think there is still more to come. I don't want to say there have been great moments and then, in the next three months, comes a milestone— the best moment of them all. So it's safe to say there's still more to come.
On facing Richards Bay this weekend
It's always going to be a difficult game; it's going to be a hard one playing against a Premiership side, but we are not going to hold back. We are also going to fight and give it our best, like we did in the first leg. We gave it our best, but couldn't score goals. This time around, we are looking to do our best again, score goals, and win the match. And, if we get positive results, anything is possible. We are not going to hold back—we will come out strong and look to get a win. It's going to be a tough one, but it's a challenge we are ready to face. Every team has its weaknesses, and we saw that at the back their centre-backs are not that strong, so we are looking to exploit that weakness. Our style of play is based on aerial balls, and we will use that to try to win the match on Saturday. We also know that Richards Bay's strength is in wing play; they go forward using their wings. They pose a lot of danger when they go forward. But, having said that, we will go there and do our own thing. To be prepared the way we have been prepared the whole season, I think we are ready. We don't need to try anything special.
Singnkhi Frank Mpedi, University of Pretoria vice-captain
