Matchday 27 - Preview
Thanda Royal Zulu - Mamelodi Sundowns
DURBAN, April 14 (Absa Premier League) – Thanda Royal Zulu will be hoping that a change of personnel amongst the coaching staff will help change their on-filed fortunes as well ahead of Wednesday’s all-important Absa Premier League clash with Mamelodi Sundowns.
Roger Palmgren is no longer in charge of the Amabhubesi and has been replaced by a new coach in Mlungisi Ngubane.
Head of youth development Paul Matthews will assist him alongside Johan Eriksson and with just four games remaining – against the Brazilians, Ajax Cape Town, Platinum Stars and Maritzburg United – the heat is on our boys to try and stave off relegation.
Thanda are currently second from bottom on goal difference from Bloemfontein Celtic, both sides having 26 points, but another loss would turn the situation into a real crisis.
And Eriksson is hoping that the change of coaches will make a difference at the Mpumalanga Stadium and help them bounce back from four consecutive losses.
“We’ve changed the head coach, so when you make a change like that, the players usually want to impress the new coach,” he said. “So generally, everybody is kind of buzzing around the team.
“The change seems to be positive. It’s a normal thing that every time you bring in a new coach, there is a certain buzz about the players.”
Reflecting on the Sundowns clash, he continued: “I think we’re really looking forward to the game tomorrow. It’s a game that all the players are really looking forward too, so we can’t wait to play it.
“On paper they are the better team, but we have nothing to lose. We’re going to give it our best and we’ll see if that’s’ enough.”
Ngubane added: “I am confident that the team will remain in PSL next season. We are in a relegation battle, not relegated already.”
The new coach will have to do without the services of Bongani Mbhele and Clifford Mulenga, who are both suspended.
Like Thanda, Sundowns have also recently undergone a coaching change with Ted Dumitru taking the place of Henri Michel.
The caretaker coach, in this instance, made an immediate impact by leading the club to a 6-1 hammering of Mauritian side AS Vacoas Phoenix in the CAF Confederations Cup last week.
He said afterward: “I wanted to see the players free and enjoying to play football again. I think we achieved that mission by 90% and there is some work to be done.
“The players showed improved levels of confidence and showed that they are good enough to play at this level and for this club.”
Dumitru feels that the result sends a message to the rest of the domestic teams, including Thanda.
He added: “We have managed to sent a clear message to other teams in the league that we are back to playing the brand of football that the Sundowns supporters expect from us.”