Tshakhuma Assistant Coach Mpho Maleka says he hopes that Washington Arubi’s performance in their penalty shootout win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals will inspire the rest of the team.
TTM qualified for their first ever cup final with the win, and while Arubi was the hero of the 6-5 shootout win, saving Hlompho Kekana’s spot kick, he was also the hero during the 120 minutes of goalless football, when time and time again he denied Sundowns’ attempts at goal.
With Dylan Kerr still waiting on his work permit, Maleka and David Mathebula continue to lead the team from the bench, with Kerr giving orders from the stand.
Maleka says though that credit should go to everyone for the defensive effort, especially the spine of the team, but says Arubi’s performance stood out.
“We worked onhe spine of the team, and the spine of the team start with Arubi and goes to (Alfred) Ndengane, goes to the midfielder Edgar (Manaka), go to upfront TK (Tokelo Rantie),” Maleka said after the match.
” I mean, you try not to single out, but there must be that one who gives his best above everybody, and it is what he puts at training. We’re not surprised to see what he did today.”
“And for him to win man of the match, he deserved it. And it will rub off to others, as I mentioned about the quality that we having, we only want to make it a quality team. So individually continue to win man of the matches, it will rub off to others, and that’s why we want everybody to stay focused, everybody to stay together, and fight on.”
