Motaung Will Sticks To Long Balls Winning Formula Despite Loss
University of Pretoria head coach Tlisane Motaung remains firm in his commitment to the team’s long-ball playing style, despite a 1-0 defeat to Richards Bay in the PSL promotion/relegation playoffs.
AmaTuks’ strategy of launching long balls towards target man Thabang Sibanyoni proved unsuccessful as Richards Bay effectively defended their penalty area at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday. Somila Ntsundwana’s first-half goal secured victory for Bay, putting them atop the mini-league alongside AmaTuks (both on 3 points). Baroka FC sits at the bottom after losing to Pretoria side on Sunday.
Richards Bay coach Vusi Vilakazi admitted his team studied AmaTuks’ tendency to utilize long balls and emphasized the importance of disciplined defending to counter it.
Motaung insists on maintaining the current style, believing it’s the key to their success. “We won’t change it, that’s what brought us here,” he declared. “Since I took over, we’ve consistently finished inside the top eight. There’s no reason to deviate now.”
Motaung highlighted the importance of player skillsets in dictating tactics. “We have a striker like Sibanyoni; why waste his aerial prowess by playing on the ground when we have Kamohelo Pheeane for that? Our formation is built around our players’ strengths.”
He continued, “Changing now would require acquiring a different type of striker altogether. This system suits us, and we executed well. We just weren’t winning those second balls.”
Motaung acknowledged the absence of captain and attacking midfielder Samuel Julies against Richards Bay. Julies’ set-piece deliveries are crucial for supplying Sibanyoni. “You miss someone like Julies who reads those moments,” admitted Motaung. “We’ll have him back for Baroka and maintain the same strategy.”
While some argued that Richards Bay goalkeeper Salim Magoola comfortably dealt with AmaTuks’ aerial threats, Motaung disagreed. “He doesn’t come out enough,” he claimed. “Our delivery was poor. If we put the ball slightly outside the six-yard box, he wouldn’t come out for it.”
