Mosoetsa urges Siwelele to put team ahead of R100 000 prize

Siwelele caretaker coach Godfrey Mosoetsa has told his players that the club’s needs must come before personal achievement when they face Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals.

The match at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday evening offers one player the chance to win the competition’s R100 000 Man of the Match award. Mosoetsa, however, has warned his squad not to allow the individual incentive to distract them from their collective responsibilities.

Siwelele reached the last eight after overcoming Polokwane City 4-3 on penalties last weekend. The tie finished goalless after extra-time before Siwelele prevailed in the shootout.

Players can often raise their level when facing a high-profile opponent, while the sizeable prize provides another possible motivation. But Siwelele are also in need of momentum in the Betway Premiership, where they currently sit 14th.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference at the PSL offices in Parktown, Johannesburg, Mosoetsa said the team’s position made unity particularly important.

“I always tell the players that the game is bigger than all of us, so the game comes first, the team comes first. The team is made up of a lot of individuals. If we find ourselves in the situation that we’re in, when you look at the league fixtures and the first time we’re in the next stage of the Carling Cup,” Mosoetsa said.

He acknowledged that individual performances could still bring personal recognition, but insisted that players should not pursue it at the expense of Siwelele.

“It’s important that we prioritize the team first and if you do individual brilliance, that obviously will make you to be the champion of the match, it’s good for you as an individual but don’t be selfish, think about the team first, because at the moment we just need momentum,” he said.

The fixture also represents an opportunity for more members of the squad to gain game time as Siwelele attempt to progress further in the competition.

“We just need more games to be able to give other players a chance to play and moving to the next round it’s about the club, it’s also about players getting contracts, so it’s important the it’s the team first more than the individual,” Mosoetsa added.

Siwelele will therefore be seeking a place in the semi-finals while trying to build confidence in a difficult league campaign. Their opponents, Kaizer Chiefs, stand between them and the next round.