Polokwane City coach Phuthi Mohafe is optimistic about keeping his key players for the new season amid interest from Betway Premiership clubs. 

The Limpopo-based outfit will kick-start their 2024/25 campaign with an MTN8 clash against a new-look Mamelodi Sundowns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday (15:00). 

Mohafe, who was appointed on an interim basis following the departure of Lehlohonolo Seema in November 2023, has opened up on the challenges of preparing for the match with the recent technical team changes at Chloorkop. 

“That [preparing for the match] has been the headache for us because coach Manqoba [Mnqithi] plays a different way, coach Steve [Komphela] also plays a different way, and coach [Romain] Folz plays a different way to the way coach Rulani [Mokwena] was playing, ” Mohafe said. 

“So, the combinations of the three with their different ways is going to create a lot of problems for us but that doesn’t mean we are going there to say we are going to be walloped. We will fight, and the players are ready for the match on Sunday.” 

The Rise and Shine mentor says he is pleased that the players linked with moves away are still focused on the club and believes they will be retained until the end of the season. “It’s a work in progress, we are looking for the progressivity and continuity of the team and we cannot do that with the new players only, so we are also looking for these players who were here to gel again for this season and that’s what forced us to keep our interest in them for the growth and improvement of the team, ” he said. 

“For me to see them still being here gives me hope that we will start and finish the season with them, so I hope that they will still stay put with Polokwane City regardless of the rumors that say they are needed elsewhere. So, I’m happy for them to be here.” 

Mohafe went on to confirm new acquisitions for his squad, who could make their debut on Sunday. The 50-year-year old coach also hinted that there could be other new faces that will be introduced against Sundowns. 

“We’ve got Raymond Daniels from Hungry Lions and Bonginkosi Dlamini from Platinum City Rovers and the rest you will see them on matchday. They are likely to feature [against Sundowns], ” the Polokwane coach said.

Article by Trevor Magoro