Mukondeni Young Chiefs charismatic coach Joel Mongalo.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Thohoyandou: Mukondeni Young Chiefs’ charismatic coach Joel Mongalo has vowed to be the first to beat top-of-the-table Mpheni Defenders FC in next week’s ABC Motsepe League clash.
The former Winners Park mentor, whose side remain unbeaten after six games, says he is determined to stop Mpheni’s perfect start, leaving Mukondeni as the only unbeaten team in the league.
“Teams have been failing to beat Mpheni, but next week, I will help them by beating the Defenders,” Mongalo said confidently.
Mukondeni currently sit third on the log with 12 points from six games, six points behind Mpheni, who top the table with 18 points. The Chiefs are aiming to reduce the gap and strengthen their title credentials.
The Limpopo-based side has drawn their previous two games: 2–2 away against Dolphins and 1–1 at home against Tzaneen United, results that Mongalo believes have prepared his team for the big test.
“I am ready for anyone,” Mongalo said. “I drew with the likes of Dolphins and Tzaneen United, who are league contenders. Teams are afraid of me. Dolphins players and medical team were promised bonuses if they could beat me – they failed.”
The highly anticipated clash is set to take place at Thohoyandou Stadium, with the Chiefs expecting a crowd of 8,000–10,000 supporters. Mongalo said the fixture has all the ingredients of a derby, as the two clubs are neighbours.
“Our supporters are passionate,” he said. “We are expecting them to come in three buses to the stadium. Even in our training sessions, 80 to 100 fans watch us prepare. That support pushes the team to perform better.”
As the countdown begins, Mukondeni Young Chiefs hope to combine home advantage and tactical mastery to hand Mpheni Defenders their first defeat of the season and make a statement in the ABC Motsepe League title race.