TS Galaxy midfielder Puso Dithejane believes the Rockets still have what it takes to finish in the top five of the Betway Premiership despite their difficult start to the season.
The Mbombela-based outfit has had it tough this season in the league; they are currently rooted at the bottom of the log with four losses from the six matches they have played so far.
They were also eliminated by a sole Lehlegonolo Mokone goal against Magesi FC in the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout competition earlier this month.
Bosnian mentor, Sead Ramovic, added on to the Rockets’ misery with his sudden resignation during a post-match television interview following their 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch FC earlier this month. He has since been replaced by his fellow countryman, Adnan Beganovic, who was appointed on a permanent basis with former defender Vuyo Mere as his assistant.
Ramovic led them to a six-place finish in the league last season, and they narrowly missed out in the final of the Carling Knockout competition, beaten 5-4 on penalties against Stellenbosch FC after playing 1-1 in regular time. Dithejane believes they can still return to their best form, and the early signs are already there with their new coach.
“We started the season very slowly, and we unfortunately couldn’t get the start we were aiming for,” Dithejane told the Independent Newspapers.
“We are currently on an international break, and as things stand, a lot will change when we return because there is huge motivation in the camp, and we have all the tools to overturn our season.
“When I look at things, since the new coach has come in, they are looking up, our training sessions have shown the right signs, the mentality within the team has shown a few changes, and from the few things I have picked up, our season is going to be back on track.”
The 20-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs development player made the move from Naturena to develop more as a player, and he is happy with his progress so far.
Dithejane also highlighted that the former Nedbank Cup champions need to be a lot more clinical with their chances if they are to mount any significant challenge.
“The move has already helped me a lot; obviously things will not be the same as they would be at Kaizer Chiefs, but I moved here because I wanted my career to progress further and also to get game time with this team. When I assess my career so far, I would say things are going really well,” He added.
“We finished sixth last season; our goal in the beginning was to improve on that, even if we got a fifth-place finish. I still believe we can get it, despite our poor start, because the league has only had seven rounds and we have played only six matches, so it’s still possible.
“We need to work on being clinical in our finishing. In the games we have played so far, we have only managed to score two goals, and that is not the standard we have set for ourselves because last season we scored a lot of goals. We are playing well; we just need to find the goals.”
Beganovic will get his first test against Sekhukhune United when league action resumes on Tuesday.
Other Betway midweek matches:
Tuesday - 7.30pm: Chippa v SuperSport & RAM v Arrows.
Wednesday - 7.30pm: CT City v Polokwane & Chiefs v R’Bay.