John Maduka deserves a lot of credit for how he is keeping the Royal AM ship afloat, despite the many challenges the coach faces at the club.
Royal AM may not be sitting pretty on the DSTV Premiership table, as they currently sit in 13th position on 28 points, but the their head coach has worked incredibly hard to ensure that they are not deep in a relegation battle with the likes of Richards Bay and Cape Town Spurs.
Coming into the new season, Maduka had to deal with the fact that Royal AM have a transfer ban, meaning he was unable to bring in few faces to add to the team. What made it difficult for him is that there were quite a few experienced campaigners that he lost.
Tebogo Potsane, Phalane Lantshene, Shaune Mogaila, Mthokozisi Dube, Elias Pelembe, Tshepo Rikhotso and Happy Jele all left the club, leaving Maduka to work with the players he has.
While there is still some talent and experience in the form of Thabo Matlaba, Kabelo Mahlasela, Menzi Masuku, Mxolisi Macuphu and Sedwyn George, the head coach would no doubt have loved to make additions to his squad to ensure they are more competitive in the Premiership.
What makes it even worse for him is that there seems to be no rush on the side of management to get the transfer ban cleared by FIFA, so it means the coach will have to carry on and make the best of the situation.
What's been impressive is that Maduka has not spent time complaining about the ban. He has gone about his business throughout the campaign and has tried his level best to ensure Royal AM are comfortable enough not to worry about going down to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, while his bosses splurge big on lavish lifestyles that are portrayed heavily on social media platforms.
You've got to feel for him, but it just shows the mental strength he has, which was first witnessed while he was a captain for the clubs he played for back in the day, Bush Bucks and Bloemfontein Celtic.
Royal AM are currently on 28 points after 22 matches and two more victories for the side would all but ensure they are in the top flight again next season.
Should he stay with the team beyond the end of the current campaign, management has to make sure that they sort out the issue of the transfer ban so that they can give him an opportunity to make the squad stronger and possibly challenge harder for a top eight spot.
