Siwelele FC captain, Grant Magerman, is confident the team will produce a commanding performance as they chase their first Betway Premiership victory of the season against Polokwane City at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, the midfielder is among several squad members facing a potential booking ban. Magerman believes the squad has enough quality to climb away from the relegation battle.
“I feel we have the players and capacity to ensure we improve the results going forward. We just need to make sure we apply ourselves better defensively and do what the coaches demand from us as a team,” he said.
Both sides enter the match with multiple players walking a disciplinary tightrope. According to an official Betway Premiership disciplinary report, Siwelele FC players on the edge of suspension are Grant Magerman, Vincent Pule, Neo Mokhachane, Relebogile Mokhuoane, Siphesihle Jeza, Tebogo Potsane and Thato Letshedi. Polokwane City squad members at risk include Banele Mnguni, Bonginkosi Dlamini, Edwin Ramaja, Manuel Kambala, Mpho Mvundlela, Raymond Daniels and Tshiamo Mashele.
The Free State-based club has endured a difficult start to the campaign and are currently 14th on the league table without a win following their opening fixtures. Rise and Shine occupy 10th place, having registered one win, four draws and two defeats.
The team captain added that the atmosphere within the camp remains positive.
“The overall mood of the team has been great over the past few weeks. I think the break has helped us well and everyone has been putting their hand up for Sunday’s match,” said Magerman.
The 28-year-old praised the senior players for guiding the club’s younger members.
“We have a young squad, but the senior players have been doing well in keeping the younger ones motivated and encouraging them at all times to bring fresh energy into the team,” he said.
Magerman expressed gratitude to supporters for standing by the club.
“We appreciate the support the fans have been giving us. We know it has been a difficult start, but we encourage them to keep coming to the stadium. The boys will turn things around,” he added.
Meanwhile, caretaker coach, Godfrey Mosoetsa, provided an update on former Kaizer Chiefs defender, Happy Mashiane, who is currently training with the club.
“There are just a couple of things that need to be sorted out administratively. We cannot deny that he is a very good player and has a lot to offer. From the technical side, we see someone who can help take this team out of the woods. It now depends on what happens behind the scenes between management and his agent in resolving the outstanding issues,” said Mosoetsa.
