Kruger United aim to turn Mbombela into fortress after Kaizer Chiefs defeat

Kruger United coach Abram Mongoya says his side will cause problems for several Betway Premiership teams this season, despite beginning their top-flight campaign with a 3-1 defeat by Kaizer Chiefs.

The newcomers were beaten by the Soweto club at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday night, but Mongoya believes the result does not reflect the potential of his players. He expects Kruger United to become increasingly difficult to beat at home as they adapt to life in the division.

Mongoya also warned that their next opponents, Marumo Gallants, should not expect an easy match when the teams meet.

“Whoever comes in Mbombela it won’t be an easy one. We travel to Marumo, they didn’t play today – had a privilege however it won’t be easy for them. We go to Rustenburg and most definitely we will work around how we improve,” Mongoya told SuperSport after the game.

Kruger United’s next fixture will be against Marumo Gallants. The match will provide the top-flight debutants with an immediate opportunity to respond to their opening-day loss, although Mongoya acknowledged that his team still has work to do before the next league encounter.

The coach said Kruger United were due to play two more friendlies before facing Marumo Gallants. He believes those matches will help identify the areas that need attention, after the club used a league fixture as part of its adjustment to the demands of the top flight.

“We’re fortunate enough we will play two more friendlies just before we go to them because when you play friendlies that’s where you see where you lack, and now we had to do that at the expense of a league game and to be honest I’m proud of the boys.

Mongoya praised the courage shown by his players against Kaizer Chiefs, but challenged them to be more direct in possession and more effective in the final third. He felt Kruger United’s attacking play did not trouble the Chiefs defence enough and that the team needed to create more opportunities to shoot.

“They showed up and were very brave, they just need to understand that it’s not about position only, you need to be vertical give problems and get behind the Chiefs defence and take shots at goal because to be honest they didn’t give problems, they didn’t take enough shots at goal,” Mongoya stated.

Despite the defeat, Mongoya remains confident that Kruger United can make Mbombela Stadium a difficult venue for visiting teams during the coming season. The club’s first home match has already highlighted the challenge facing the debutants, but the coach believes further preparation and greater attacking intent can help them compete more effectively in the Betway Premiership.