Strong bench key to winning league title – Klate

The Clever Boys are in second on the Absa premiership table, a position that they have occupied consistently for the past three seasons under the mentorship of Gavin Hunt.

“That’s how teams win championships. It’s not only the 11 (who start). The 11 will give you a lot during the season, but there is the question of the bench,” Klate told Sowetan.

“When I won league titles, it has always been about that. When the chips are down, there are players that will come in and make a difference.

“That’s what we had at SuperSport when we won the [three] league titles.

“We had (Katlego) Mashego and one day we were 1-0 down against Moroka Swallows (in 2008), and after coming at half-time, he scored four goals in the second half and we won 4-2.

“We had Mark Mayambela at (Orlando) Pirates and he used to come in for 20/30 minutes and change the complexion of the game.

“We were 2-0 down against Wits (in 2011) and we won 3-2. We went on to win the league,” Klate added.

Klate has been a stand out performer at the club after he was reunited with coach Hunt. The pair worked together previously at SuperSport United.