Kruger United eye top-eight finish after third Premiership victory

Kruger United coach Abraham Mongoya believes his side can continue climbing the Premiership table after the newly promoted team beat Richards Bay 3-1 at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

Wonderboy Makhubu, Ebrahim Seedat and Mancoba Zwane scored for the Village Boys, while Luyanda Khumalo replied for Richards Bay.

The result was Kruger United’s third league win of the season and continued an improvement in form after a difficult introduction to top-flight football.

“Credit to the boys. They put in a fight. We have always believed in the work we do and we never cracked under pressure. The management has always believed in us, so that helped as well. There’s still more to come,” Mongoya said.

Kruger United had to wait until their sixth match to earn their first points in the Premiership. They defeated provincial rivals TS Galaxy 1-0 away from home, having lost four of their opening five fixtures and drawn the other.

That poor start led to early suggestions the newcomers could be relegated. However, their recent run has strengthened Mongoya’s belief that Kruger United can secure a top-eight finish in their first season in the top flight.

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

Mongoya said the team had remained committed to its approach despite the pressure surrounding their early results, while support from the club’s management had also helped the players maintain their focus.

The Village Boys will next face Mamelodi Sundowns in a league match at home on November 28.