Kanye Swallows vow to bounce back

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Wednesday September 22, 2010 00:00

Gaolefufa is confident that his team can stem the tide and win their next match against Prisons XI on Sunday.Once again, Gaolefufa blamed lack of fitness among his charges, which he believes contributed to their home defeat to Masitaoka last Saturday.

'We defended too deep. I sensed that because my players were not fully fit, they feared that if they went out of their zone, they would be exposed in counter- attacks. This resulted in confusion in roles when we had to close our opponents down.

There were often too many defenders in front of our goal and no one knew exactly who to pick and when to close the spaces,' Gaolefufa told Mmegi Sport.

'But I am positive we will improve both in fitness and confidence. We played a team that is more experienced while 99 percent of my team have only started playing at this level. Our major problems were in defence and poor finishing. We lacked confidence because we created more than six clear-cut chances in that match and even missed a penalty,' he said.

However, Gaolefufa believes his charges would gain enough confidence to outwit Prisons XI on Sunday. The coach said he has told his players to put the Masitaoka result behind them.

He noted that playing in front of home fans seemed to put pressure on his players to deliver. 'It was clear in our opening game that my players were under pressure to deliver,' he said.

But Gaolefufa's charges would have to get used to playing in front of the expectant home fans. They have five more home fixtures before they start travelling for away matches. After Prisons XI next Sunday, Swallows will host Killer Giants, Mogoditshane Fighters, Young Strikers, and Jwaneng Comets. 

'Remember they are the only team playing at this level in this village (Kanye) and they carry people's hopes and it is weighing heavily on their shoulders because they do not want to disappoint the people. But I have told them that for the results to come, they should enjoy their games.'

He said the arrangement of the fixtures is not a problem for his team, adding their focus should be on getting results.