Kruger United coach Mongoya targets top-eight finish after Richards Bay win

Kruger United coach Abraham Mongoya says his side can continue climbing the Premiership table after beating Richards Bay 3-1 at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

The victory was Kruger’s third league win of the season and extended a recent improvement in form for the top-flight newcomers. Wonderboy Makhubu, Ebrahim Seedat and Mancoba Zwane scored for the Village Boys, while Luyanda Khumalo replied for Richards Bay.

Mongoya praised his players for maintaining their composure under pressure and said the club’s backing had helped them through a difficult start to life in the Premiership.

“Credit to the boys. They put in a fight. We have always believed in the work we do and we never cracked under pressure,” he said.

“The management has always believed in us, so that helped as well. There’s still more to come.”

Kruger endured a challenging introduction to the top flight, failing to collect a point from their opening five matches apart from a single draw. Their first win arrived in their sixth game, when they defeated provincial rivals TS Galaxy 1-0 away from home.

The early run led to suggestions that the Village Boys could be relegated in their first season among the country’s leading clubs. However, their improved results have strengthened Mongoya’s belief that Kruger can finish in the top eight.

The coach said he had urged his players to focus on their own standards rather than outside criticism, while acknowledging the internal demands created by the team’s ambitions.

“I have always told the boys that they should not worry about the pressure from the outside because that is my responsibility,” Mongoya said.

“But they must be able to handle the pressure we put on ourselves internally because we have big ambitions this season and that is to be in the top eight.”

Kruger’s next league fixture will be at home against Mamelodi Sundowns on November 28.