Colourful Baroka coach says PSL newcomers will win league title

12 July 2016 - 21:00 By Chumani Bambani

Premier Soccer League (PSL) newbies Baroka FC are known for being an ambitious side and coach Kgoloko Thobejana pushed the envelope further by setting extremely high targets before the season has even started. Thobejana‚ who established a reputation as a straight-shooting coach while the team was campaigning in the National First Division‚ confidently marked new signing Simphiwe Gwala for the golden boot in the coming PSL season.“I have a new boy and I’ve told him that this time around the Sports Minister (Fikile Mbalula) must come with that R300 000 cheque for the leading goalscorer‚” the colourful Thobejana said.“Simphiwe Gwala [who comes] from FC Cape Town is going to score more than 23 goals this season‚ I’m telling you.”The 25-year-old Gwala‚ who has been signed from FC Cape Town‚ netted in nine goals in the NFD last season.The lanky striker is one of sixteen players signed so far by the Limpopo side ahead of their debut season.The Lebowakgomo-based club lost a number of players since gaining promotion to the PSL last month‚ but Thobejana is not fazed by the departures.“The new guys will replace them‚ simply‚” the Baroka coach said.The side’s mandate for their first appearance in the big league is equally ambitious.Baroka have not only targeted the premiership title‚ but they are also looking at bagging at least two cup competitions.Thobejana does not feel that the targets are unrealistic for a side playing in their first season of topflight football.“I’ve got my own mandate‚” the coach said“My mandate is to win the league and two knockout competitions‚ and all the quarters – Q1 to Q4. That simply tells you that when I play football I play to win. I don’t aim for a draw‚ but to win.”Does the coach really think this is achievable?“Yes‚” he said.“What I’m talking about is realistic. And I’m sure that one day people will come back to me and say ‘my brother‚ you said it – this is happening’.”- TMG Digital..

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