HARRI-CANE DE JONGH DESCENDS ON ‘MADZE’

MBABANE – Straight talker Pieter De Jongh has made a thinly veiled dig at his predecessor Harris ‘Madze’ Bulunga.

Responding to questions from the media yesterday, as Sihlangu bade farewell to Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs PS Prince Mlayeto, the Dutch mentor said he had brought professionalism in the team, which was not there in the previous coaching regime.
“With all due respect to the former coach, there was no professionalism in the team and that is what I am instilling,” he said. A barrage of questions were directed to the mentor regarding the many changes he has brought to the team, such as a strong fitness regime and enforcing a specific diet to keep players in check.

“Players like Phumlani have shed off 5kg in one day, which is what we should be focusing on and it is not good then to give so much space to players who after one day break come back having added 5kg,” he said.
He was making reference to released Young Buffaloes forward Phiwa Dlamini, who he said he had to show him the door for gaining weight.
“It was not only about his weight, but before that we have had discussions with him about his attitude.

I am bringing professionalism into the team as a long -term foundation,” he said.
The coach said local coaches were not taking fitness training seriously and that it was only Mbabane Swallows who have players in good physical shape.
“Swallows players are different and that is why they are winning games. The rest of players are not at the level of fitness you would require,” he said.
The coach said his training sessions were of high intensity and the players are adapting well.

He has set the target of 11 points in the group that also has Egypt and Tunisia.
“I have studied Niger, and I know what to expect. I saw them in Rwanda before I came here and I also checked the internet for the latest information about them. We are going for a win or a draw to give ourselves a good chance. But we can’t panic as there are 18 points to play for and this is the first game,” he said.
However, the coach admitted that his predecessor got the positive results, which he said were only a short-term goal than the professionalism that he was bringing.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: