After a very successful year with Santos Football Club I had to make a decision regarding joining Manning Rangers Football Club. It was difficult because of the Santos season culminating in winning the Bob Save Cup. We beat Sundowns 1-0.
The club arranged a pre-Cup Final training camp in Durban and by the time the team walked onto the field we were very confident and had a great team spirit going.
Afzal Khan did a magnificent job, affording us every opportunity to take the Cup back to Cape Town. At the F.N.B. Stadium we had wonderful support. The Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates fans added their voices to our enthusiastic supporters who had travelled by car, rail and air to be there for us. The players and I will never forget their commitment.
We won through Tyrone Arendse's first half goal but were supported by all the team members led by Captain Courageous, Edries Burton. Legendary goalkeeper Andre Arendse was player of the Tournament.
His performances for Bafana Bafana are well documented and I endorse my previous comments on T.V. and in the press-that he is one of the finest sportsmen that I have had the privilege to know and work with.
There was much speculation in the media about which club I would be with in the new season.
I flew back to Cape Town after the Cup Final and had a meeting with the Chairman, Mr. Allie and Afzal Khan. I stipulated my requirements and got the impression from, their reactions and contract offer that maybe my time had run it's course with Santos.
The contract offered by Manning Rangers-in a meeting with Chico Lazarus, Parum Joseph and Lawrence Ngubane confirmed what I required. An added bonus was that I would be back home in Durban!
It was going to be difficult as Manning Rangers had to go to arbitration to retain their status in the P.S.L.
The team was decidedly shell-shocked and had lost all confidence in themselves. I was also aware that there was no sponsorship for the team and therefore no money to buy the players I needed.
My shopping included:
1. Craig Bianchi (Hellenic)
2. Themba Seli (ex Kaiser Chiefs-now Amazulu)
3. Puhmlani Mkhize (Orlando Pirates)
None of whom we could afford!
However Lawrence Ngubane managed to entice:
1. Michael Shata (Sundowns)
2. Pogisho Mokotjo (Free State Stars)
3. Fadlu Davids (Santos)
4. Stoffel Kikane (from relegated Bloemfontein Celtic)
No great names, but talented and dedicated players.
Gilbert Mushangaziki and Ishmael Maluleke have set the League alight with their goal-scoring exploits and I have no doubt that both have International careers beckoning!
The season has been very revealing and fulfilling and Manning Rangers are likely to go into the Christmas recess near the top of the League.
Coming Up:-Discussing the African Cup of Nations and World Cup preparations - Watch this space!