Chiefs’ coach David Mathebula to miss GDL Top Eight semis
The Gauteng Development League Top Eight competition returns this weekend after a postponement that was brought on by inclement weather in the province last month.
The quarterfinals were played, with Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Highlands Park, and School of Excellence progressing through to the semi-finals.
On Saturday, GDL champions, Highlands Park, take on Mamelodi Sundowns at Tsakane Stadium, in Brakpan, while Chiefs tackle School of Excellence at Marks Park, in Randburg.
Heading into the clash against School of Excellence, Chiefs have been rocked by the news of the unavailability of head coach David Mathebula.
“I won’t be available. I have to travel home,” Mathebula revealed to SuperSport Schools Plus in an exclusive interview.
Mathebula believes that his close relationship with his support staff and the professionalism of his players should carry them through the semi-finals and into the final of the competition.
“I think the advantage with us is we work very, very closely with the other coaches. The players, we teach them how to respect coaches because, in the future, I won’t be the one who is coaching them,” Mathebula explained.
“They must be able to work with different coaches. I just hope they will be able to handle themselves as professionals, but I believe they will do that because we’ve got good boys in our team. So I don’t think there will be any challenges.”
Chiefs are fresh off a 5-0 thrashing of Sundowns last weekend, an eye-opening result from which Mathebula believes his team will take confidence.
The 41-year-old reflected on that fixture: “I think, firstly, it was a very complicated game. It was a difficult game. Sundowns, first half, they played well, created a couple of opportunities, and I think, in the first half, the difference was we managed to take the opportunities that we created.
“We defended the box well because they didn’t get a lot of opportunities, not opportunities inside the box, but outside the box, where they had to take shots from long range.
“And then, second half, we came back stronger because we didn’t give them those opportunities. When we were defending, we stayed stronger, we stayed compact, and when we were in possession of the ball, I think our confidence grew.
“Thus, we were able to impose how we wanted to play. I think we dominated the game in the second half and, also, our pressing was good because we knew they’re a team that wants to dominate possession, and we knew that they build up from the back.
“So, the boys did well in pressing, and then we got opportunities and we managed to take them. The confidence grows when you win matches.”
Ahead of the clash with School of Excellence, Mathebula had good things to say about Chiefs’ opponents.
“We managed to watch School of Excellence. They won their previous match, so they’ve got a really good side. Some of their boys, who have been playing in the u19 division since last season, are still there.
“But I believe we’ll definitely improve in the next game against School of Excellence because that’s the most important thing for us, being able to play the way we want to play.”
FIXTURES
Kaizer Chiefs vs School of Excellence
Highlands Park vs Mamelodi Sundowns
