Truter Asks For The Last Push For Bay
Richards Bay coach Brandon Truter has urged his team to make a final push before their upcoming birth of a child.
A win against Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout semi-final at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday (15:00) would see them reach their first-ever final in the competition.
This strategy echoes the words of former coach Steve Komphela, who used similar tactics to motivate Maritzburg United (now Durban City) to a top-eight finish in the 2014/15 season.
Bay is in their second consecutive semi-final of the League Cup, having lost to eventual champions Stellenbosch FC last year.
Coach Truter acknowledged the threat posed by Magesi, who are led by experienced coach Clinton Larsen, a figure Truter admired during his early coaching days.
“I believe Magesi will approach the game with the same determination,” Truter said.
“We need to do something different and push harder. They are well-prepared and rested, while we played against Orlando Pirates midweek, which gives them a slight advantage. However, it’s about how we manage and mentally prepare our players.
“They might be thinking about the end of the season, but our focus is solely on this game. They’re thinking about the semi-final, while we had a tough midweek fixture. So, it’s a mental battle we need to win. Physical fitness isn’t the issue; it’s about maintaining mental focus and concentration.”
Truter aims to reach his second major final as a coach, having led Sekhukhune United to the Nedbank Cup final in the 2022/23 season, where they lost to Pirates.
