AFTER sharing the spoils with Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in a 1-1 stalemate at Thohoyandou Stadium in Venda this past weekend, we sat down with coach, Dan Malesela (DM) and looked forward in to our next match against AmaZulu.
TS Galaxy (TSG) will now battle it out for maximum points against Usuthu tomorrow night at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Malesela is brimming with confidence heading in to our clash with Usuthu at our own territory.
TSG: Coach, what are some of the positives that you took from our game against Tshakuma?
DM: We scored and also conceded but I want to focus more on positives. Positives are that we created chances. With a creation of chances, it may come goals. We are hopeful that the guys will recognize that and they will just do justice in to the team by converting chances in to goals.
We are also aware that we struggled in terms of defending a number of their corner kicks. It is just a question of making adjustments and doing the basics. We will also remind the players of what is required.
TSG: Are you likely to ring in changes in our clash against AmaZulu?
DM: Yes, we will ring in some changes. Obviously some are forced and some are tactically. We will just see if the different combination will yield a better results or not. We will make a few changes but not too many changes. We don’t want to go in to the second game with so many changes.
When you do that, it is more like you are panicking or we are judging our players. We can’t do that. It will be too soon. If it is a forced change, there’s nothing we can do.
TSG: Were you elated at how our players handled anxiety against TTM?
DM: I’m happy and also not so. I keep telling the players this, one of the most killers of players is fear. If you have fear, you’ll never make it in football. We have to remove fear. We have to stop being afraid. I don’t know what we are afraid off but we have to remove fear.
When players go in to the field, they sometimes see snakes on the ground because of grass also. We need to remove those snakes. If we can remove snakes and then life will be easy. A lot of our players are highly talented. It is just that demon which is called fear, it is depriving them an opportunity to express themselves completely.
TSG: What can TS Galaxy lovers expect in our first home game in the elite league?
DM: Everything that we do will be historic because of us being new here. Every single thing that we do, will just hit the history books. Already the starting line up this past weekend, we will go down in history. It was the first team to start the game for TS Galaxy on top flight. It is historic.
The scoring of the goal by Bevan Fransman was also historic. It was our first goal in top flight football. Whoever that will be in the line up at Mbombela Stadium will go down in to the history books. You have to cherish this moment. Whoever who scores will also go down in to history.
I love being part of making history. I love to see history that will make people smile. If you are a player, you should be gunning to make history. Your name must be there. Not only in the team sheet but also from the contribution point of view as a player in the team. It doesn’t matter if it is a goal or an assist. You must make the contribution that will last. It will be nice to make good history.
TSG: Chitiya Mususu is now in possession of his work permit. How happy are you with that?
DM: I’m happy to have reinforcements. We must have a headache of selection as opposed to have it the easy way in our selection. When people are having it easy and then there is no pressure. If there is pressure, people are thinking about their positions. Everyone knows that he has to be on his toes.