Kruger United face defensive test as Milford make strong start to Betway Premiership life

Kruger United’s difficult start to their first Betway Premiership campaign has been compounded by the departure of assistant coach Joel Masutha, while fellow newcomers Milford have adapted more successfully to top-flight football.

Kruger have taken only four points from their opening seven matches after securing automatic promotion from the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Masutha has since left the club, with a replacement for head coach Abram Mangoya expected to be announced on Wednesday.

Former Kruger coach Tshegofatso Mashego believes the team’s attacking approach has not been matched by sufficient defensive discipline.

“They’ve got a very good attacking structure, but it is their defensive organisation that seems to be going wrong. That leaves them vulnerable on transitions. They are too compact, leaving spaces behind, which is where they are getting caught,” Mashego told KickOff.

“That’s how they concede goals.

“That tells me they’ve put more effort into scoring goals since they’ve been losing, but they mustn’t forget they need to defend as well.

“I was speaking to someone the other day, saying this is not like the ABC Motsepe League where you’re looking for gaps and work with zero defence and still not concede. It’s all about repetition. They need to start working on their finishing. If you score one and win the game, then fine,” he added.

Mashego said Kruger must adjust quickly to the demands of the Betway Premiership, where defensive errors are being punished more consistently than in the second tier.

Milford, who reached the top flight through the promotion play-offs, have made a more encouraging start. They have collected 12 points from eight matches and currently occupy fifth place in the standings.

Mashego expected Milford to be competitive before the campaign began, drawing comparisons with the Free State Stars side he once played for.

“As for Milford, many of my friends will attest… When they got promoted, I said these guys are going to be competitive. They remind me of our team at Free State Stars – no names, willing to work hard, bringing the fight,” said the former defender.

He has also been impressed by Milford’s style of play and the way their players have settled into the club’s system.

“One thing I like about them is that they play expansive football. Good passing, good running. You can see how the ball flow when they are in possession, and that’s because they attack. Their players are playing in an environment that suits them best.”

Both promoted clubs return to action on 17 October.

Kruger will travel to face Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium, while Milford will play Golden Arrows at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium.