“We want to dominate,” says Chiefs’ coach David Mathebula ahead of quarterfinals
The quarterfinals of the Gauteng Development League Youth Cup beckon as teams fine-tune their preparations ahead of the weekend’s action.
The most eye-catching fixture is undoubtedly in the u19 division where Kaizer Chiefs will go toe-to-toe with a Highlands Park team that has dominated development football throughout the year in the Gauteng region.
READ: REDEMPTION FOR KAIZER CHIEFS U19’S?
The mouthwatering clash gets underway at 1.30pm SAST on Saturday, 25 November, at the Kaizer Chiefs Village.
“Our approach this coming Saturday won’t change, despite the fact that we always look to improve. We want to dominate possession. We want to be in control of the game and, yes, we want to win the game and play in the semi-finals,” Chiefs’ coach, David Mathebula, told SuperSport Schools in an exclusive interview.
“Highlands Park were the most consistent team, based on results. We played them and lost away and drew at home but, most importantly, in those matches we were able to impose ourselves on them.
“That’s what it is all about when you’re at a bigger brand, such as Chiefs. You have to impose your style of play on the opposition. Yes, the results haven’t gone our way but, in terms of nailing down our style of play, I think we have been very successful.”
Mathebula, a Chiefs’ legend, has come a long way since hanging up his boots in 2018. From assistant coaching duties to Sello Chokoe at Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM), to a managerial position with Black Aces, Mathebula has been honing his coaching skills for a number of years.
The Kaizer Chiefs’ senior team has chopped and changed coaches in the recent past, and there are opportunities for Mathebula. Perhaps those are not at Chiefs, but there are certainly enough opportunities for young coaches to stake a claim at the country’s top clubs.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach, Rulani Mokoena, is a prime example for young coaches as he has led Sundowns to continental success on numerous occasions.
“There’s progress. I have improved a lot in terms of how I approach training, how I manage players, and how I plan for the games. Things are getting better and better,” said Mathebula.
“We want to grow as coaches. Once you start this process, you picture yourself coaching at the highest level. At the development level, it’s all about us learning the game and understanding what coaching is about, but I believe I’m capable and I have the skills to coach at the highest level. That is the ultimate goal.
“I coached a reserve team in Limpopo and the challenges were different in that there were a lot of hiccups outside the field of play. But the job here is quite simple. Everything is run professionally because all I am focussing on here is coming up with the right programmes for the kids and trying to get better results from the players.”
Th effectiveness of Mathebula’s work can be seen in his u19 players who regularly graduate to the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC). Takalani Mazhamba, Ofentse Kgosana, Khulumane Ndamane and Neo Bohloko were all in the starting line-up of coach Vela Khumalo‘s DDC team this past weekend.
“It’s a plus when you see the boys progress to the next level. That’s the main aim, not just progress, but adding value at the next level,” Mathebula concluded.
