Midrand-based Total Football Excellence U19 coach Kabelo Ngqinambi believes the remaining five games will be critical for him and his players.
He said the games will test the players’ mental strength and character.
Total Football Excellence is currently at the summit of the log with 47 points while second-placed Stars of Africa Academy are on 42 points – trailing by five points with two games in hand – after 19 and 17 games played respectively.
Speaking after their 6–1 win over Velocity Football Academy in their Rand Central Local Football Association (RCLFA), Ngqinambi said his players’ mental strength needs to be on another level as losing one game can be detrimental to their title ambitions.
“My players need to take their chances in each game we play moving forward, and I am pleased that the team has been free scoring for a while now and conceding less. For us now, it’s just a case of making sure that we concede less with the hope that our chasers drop points along the way,” said Ngqinambi.
ALSO READ: Total Football Excellence trash Velocity 6–1
In the next Midrand derby, Excellence will take on Blue Hills FC who have been struggling on the log and see themselves second from the bottom with just eight points. The game will be played at Curro Waterfall with the kick-off scheduled for 13:00 on October 16.
In their last three games, Excellence has scored 15 goals while Blue Hills failed to find purchase in the back of the net.
“I think as a team we have goals and ambitions, and the players know what they need to do whenever they step into the pitch. We just need to prepare well and worry about what we can worry about and control what we can as well. For us we just need to be ready and take each game as it comes.”
Ngqinambi said he was grateful for the support from team owner Theodoara Crozét for ensuring the smooth running of the club.
It’s for the first time Excellence assembled an U19 side participating in the RCLFA.
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