Exclusive: “This group has been terrific,” Randburg AFC coach lauds his players
Well before the Gauteng Development League (GDL) went into recess over the winter holiday, Randburg AFC had made a lasting impression on the league.
Coach Skhosiphi Mgobozi’s side had left a mark on the division, painting a vivid picture of their intentions to compete for the league honours this season.
It didn’t matter who they came up against, Mgobozi’s side simply looked a class above most of their opposition. When the league went on hiatus, they were in second place.
When the GDL resumed, however, Mgobozi and his team hit a bump on the road, losing 0-3 to SuperSport United.
That loss would have undoubtedly led the players to ask some questions of themselves, wondering whether their impressive run before the recess was who they were, or was it a mirage?
However, with Mgobozi at the helm, Randburg AFC quickly righted their ship, thrashing Kaizer Chiefs 6-1 and Wits Junior 3-0 in their following matches to dive back into contention.
Those emphatic victories would have reminded the top dogs, like Mamelodi Sundowns and Highlands Park, that Randburg AFC means business this season. They proved it again in their most recent outing, drawing 1-1 with the log leaders, Sundowns.
Reflecting on that 0-3 loss to SuperSport United, Mgobozi lauded how his players have dealt with setbacks in an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus.
“We looked at what went wrong and, in the week, we actively got back our intensity. But what was more important was our mentality. This group has been terrific in terms of how they’ve dealt with setbacks throughout the season as a team,” Mgobozi said.
“You’ve got guys in their first year of university. The majority of them are in matric, and they’re juggling a lot of things. And one of the things that’s been good to see is that we’ve placed a lot of responsibility on them in terms of their personal life and how they manage it. If you need time to go study, you cannot just leave football; you need to find a way to manage it and take responsibility.
“I think we’re seeing that responsibility and those skills starting to come across. When you do deal with setbacks and now have to bounce back immediately, can you write an exam, come to training and be at Kaizer Chiefs on a Saturday, and still be a son, a brother and all those other things that make up your identity?
“So, I think they’ve ticked that box, and these are the standards we try to push, and I think that came across over this last period especially, where we’ve played Wits, Chiefs, and then Sundowns this past weekend.
It’s just a mentality and a responsibility in your own capacity, but also a responsibility that then transfers into the environment.”
Having slayed some of the giants of the South African game, Randburg AFC is now at a point where the team needs to guard against complacency. Time and again, when teams win consistently, complacency sets in and standards subside.
Mgobozi, however, said he has instilled a unique mentality in his players, the type of mentality that encourages them to respect every opposition, regardless of their position on the log or recent form.
This week, Randburg AFC faces off against 17th-placed East Rand Athletic Club.
“To avoid complacency, I think it’s about remaining respectful of the opposition,” Mgobozi said. “We’re going to their home territory and home turf, so it’s important that we first and foremost understand that they understand the field, they understand the terrain, the atmosphere.
“So, we must go there with an element of respect. In order to prevent complacency, we’ve got to remember what we’re actually chasing, and for us to chase it, we’re going to have to be perfect.
“East Rand, irrespective of where they sit, the score at the moment is 0-0, and for us to continue on our journey, we have to go win that game.
“So, it’s just about those motivational hooks for players and for coaches. We’re going to need to arrive, irrespective of who’s in front of us. We must arrive and be the best versions of ourselves.”
