Vilakazi Leverages Past Mammila Experience To Face Baroka In PSL Playoffs
Richards Bay coach Vusi Vilakazi believes his familiarity with Baroka’s coach Morgan Mammila gives him an edge ahead of their crucial PSL promotion/relegation playoff clash at Global Stadium on Saturday (15:00).
Vilakazi, who steered Richards Bay to safety after a second-from-bottom finish in the DStv Premiership, previously worked alongside Mammila at Chippa United during his short stint with the club some time last year, after he left Golden Arrows in September.
He was appointed as Chippa’s technical director in the same month, but he left the same role in November to be appointed as the senior coach at Bay.
However, the Natal Rich Boyz parted ways with head coach Kaitano Tembo on 25 December and Vilakazi took over.
“It does in the same way that I know what he (Mammila) prefers, I know his identity, I know his philosophy,” said Vilakazi.
“It will be a true reflection of what they were doing during the season, irrespective of the new coach. If they can change that, then that is the biggest mistake they will be doing because we will punish them completely.”
Mammila took over at Baroka a few days ago after they suspended Dan Malesela this past week following a 1-0 loss to AmaTuks last Sunday.
The mini league table sees Bay sitting on top with three points along with AmaTuks, who though have played a game more. Baroka occupies the last spot in the table.
Vilakazi’s objective is clear: secure maximum points in all four playoff matches.
“We just want to win all our games,” said Vilakazi without mincing his words.
“It is only four games, so one is done and three left, we just want to win all four games. Why I’m saying that? We don’t want to find ourselves in a situation where we say so and so will need a difference of goals against, we don’t want to get into the situation.”
He acknowledges the potential danger posed by Baroka’s hunger for promotion to the PSL.
“As we have the upper hand of playing in the PSL, the levels are too different, but the danger part is the hunger. We need to show hunger to match them because they want to play in the PSL and that gives them motivation. We need to be discipline as a team of being afraid to lose our jobs,” Vilakazi emphasized.
