Marumo Gallants striker Sibusiso Sibeko says new coach Dylan Kerr has changed the style of play and that’s why results have been positive of late.
Gallants replaced Dan Malesela after they lost to Orlando Pirates in January, bringing in the former Swallows coach.
However, Kerr was appointed as the club’s technical advisor, while Raymond Mdaka is taking charge of the side on the bench, which is believed to be due to Kerr still awaiting his work permit.
Kerr has been more of a spectator in the stands, but results have been coming, with Gallants winning four of their last five matches.
Three of them have been in the CAF Confederation Cup, Nedbank Cup and one in the league.
Their winning streak in all competitions was stopped by Algerian giants USM Alger on match day three of the Confed Cup group stages, losing 2-0 in Baraki over the weekend.
But they are second in Group A, having defeated Al-Akhdar at home and Congolese Saint Eloi Lupopo away with six points after three matches.
As much as they are doing well in Africa, they are in danger of relegation as they lie at the foot of the table with 18 points after 21 matches played. They have won only three matches this season, but Sibeko has insisted that Kerr has brought new belief and tactics that work
“The coach [Kerr] made us believe and obviously he changed the style of play,” Sibeko told iDiski Times.
“You can see when you watch us, we play more direct football, two strikers and stuff, and we will get the goals that we weren’t getting.
“He motivates us a lot, he believes that we are a good team because reaching the final last season [of the Nedbank Cup only to lose to Mamelodi Sundowns], it wasn’t a mistake.
“We are still the same players as last season and some of them even won the Nedbank Cup [in the 2020/21 season with TTM when Kerr was in charge].
“The coach just brought back the belief and changed the style of play, and he’s helping us a lot.”
Gallants will host Sundowns in the repeat of the Ke Yona Cup final in the round of 16 at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Thursday (18:00), with the latter being so impressive in this competition.
Sundowns last lost a Ke Yona Cup match against TTM in the semi-final two seasons ago, with the latter going all the way to win this cup
The Tshwane giants have won their last six matches in the Nedbank Cup since, scoring 24 goals in the process.
“Now we are going to play against Sundowns, who drew Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League, but we had a good experience also on our side in Algeria,” added Sibeko, who was part of Gallants side that lost to Downs in the Ke Yona Cup final last season.
