Criticism fuels City striker to perform better
Cape Town City striker Siphelele Mthembu uses the criticism directed at him from fans as motivation.
Happy Jele and Siphelele Mthembu during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City FC at Orlando Stadium on September 19, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
The 31-year-old striker was a target of booing from the fans at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday when he missed two goals in the MTN8 final match t against SuperSport United.
Mthembu redeemed himself by scoring a penalty during the shootout to help The Citizens win the penalty shootout 4-1.
“But for me criticism is just a motivation,” said Mthembu after the match.
“I am a spiritual man, so I don’t take this thing (booing) seriously. Sometimes it’s a reflection of your thoughts. I have been there at Moses Mabhida Stadium before with Chiefs, sometimes with Platinum Stars and they were still doing the same thing, so it’s nothing new to me. For me it was all about being focused and get composure when I went to take my spot kick. I called for the blood of Jesus three times then I took the penalty.”
Mthembu has set his goal target for the 2018/19 season.
“It’s possible for me to score 15 goals.
“However, I will need to double up my efforts. I will even ask for help from the coach (Benni) because I just want to get those goals coming. Once I score them, for me, it would feel like I have reached my target.”
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