Themba Sithole: I’m ready to coach Free State Stars

The Free State Stars caretaker coach Themba Sithole confessed during the post-match interview that he is very much ready to succeed Steve Komphela as head coach of Free State Stars after Komphela parted ways with the team following 2-0 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend.

“I have been in football for the rest of my life. I am qualified just like any other coach in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).”

“I am still finishing my coaching courses abroad so I don't think there is anything that I still need to coach the team. This is my time to bring back the culture of the Free State Stars.”

The coach is very confident that the team will turn the corner in the forthcoming fixtures and he is not disappointed by the first defeat in charge as his boys did well especially in the second half of the game.

Sithole is not looking at the 3-1 defeat score-line at the hands of University of Pretoria as his team did well.

“I am not looking at the score line. I think the team did well in the second half of the game. However, we need to work hard on the concentration of the defence".

His team conceded quickest brace from Geofrey Massa within 5 minutes of the first half and also committed penalty in the 8 minutes from the restart of the second half, which was easily converted by Atusaye Nyondo.

The coach believes that the score-line was not a true reflection of the game as his teams conceded soft goals from set piece, penalty and defensive error but he is not disappointed about the overall outcome of the game. His boys played well in the second half by controlling the game and managed to get a consolation goal through Katlego Mashego.

The caretaker coach attributed his first defeat to insufficient time to prepare the team due to rain and other stuff but he will go back to the drawing board to work on the defensive errors. He promised a much more improve performance in the forthcoming games.

The coach ruled out any possibility of bolstering his squad during January transfer window despite winning only one game in the past give PSL games. He is currently happy with the depth in the team.

By Owen Mundalamo