Mosoetsa credits goalkeeper coach after Siwelele cup shootout win
Siwelele coach Godfrey Mosoetsa says goalkeeper coach Mswazi Tshabalala deserves credit for Jody February's penalty saves in the Carling Knockout Cup win over Polokwane City.
Siwelele FC coach Godfrey Mosoetsa has pointed to goalkeeper coach Mswazi Tshabalala as a key figure behind Jody February’s recent performances, according to iDiski Times.
Mosoetsa spoke after Siwelele reached the last eight of the Carling Knockout Cup at the expense of Polokwane City. Playing with 10 men, Siwelele held City for 120 minutes. February then saved two penalties in the shootout to send his side through.
Praise for the work behind the scenes
The coach said he understands that players are important, but argued that the people who help them reach their best level also deserve to be mentioned. He said coaches are often the ones given the chance to speak and take the credit, while many others do hard work out of sight.
Mosoetsa used February’s clean sheets as an example. He asked who trains the goalkeeper, and who prepares the rest of the squad to last 120 minutes a man down. In his view, the answer lies with the wider technical team.
He stressed that “it’s a team effort” and said it was the second time he had made the point. He also said he would like to see “an award for the technical team” and not only for individual players.
Over 100 penalties in training
Mosoetsa also revealed how Siwelele prepared for the match at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium. He said the squad took almost over 100 penalties during the week leading up to the game.
Even so, he admitted that a cup tie brings its own pressure. “The atmosphere is different when you come to a cup game,” he said.
That, he explained, changed how the penalty takers were chosen. Instead of simply naming who would step up, the coaching staff left it to the players to volunteer when the moment arrived.
The result saw February’s two saves in the shootout decide a tie that stayed level through 120 minutes. Mosoetsa’s comments suggest the club wants the work of staff such as Tshabalala to be recognised alongside the players who produce the results on the pitch.
Siwelele now move into the last eight of the Carling Knockout Cup.
This story is based on reporting by iDiski Times.
