Chippa Legodimo
13 March 2008
Kanye Swallows' women football team coach Thabo Semele is adamant that if it were not for the double shift system introduced at Seepapitso Senior Secondary School, his charges would have done better this season.
He was speaking after the team lost to log leaders and champions-elect Double Action last weekend. The result left Swallows nine points behind the leaders. "Many factors have contributed to our downfall. But we have been hit hard by this double shifting because most of my players are students at Seepapitso. We hardly make a full team at training. Sometimes I would only have five players on Friday and only meet the others on Saturday just before games," Semele said.
"Of course I am disappointed that we have totally fallen out of the race but again, one has to appreciate the many problems that we faced along the way. We are left with only two games and obviously we cannot reach the 45 that Double Action has so far. We are only hoping for position two but again we should hope that Untouchable lose their games and we win ours," Semele said.
He noted that they have learnt from the experience and there is no need to blame the players. He said that during some games, it was clear even to the opposition that his players did not understand each other.
"Because they do not train together, often they could not read each other's moves and the opponents took advantage. But they were not to blame for that. It has been difficult for me. Some of my players are in Goodhope and the headteacher wants me to consult first with parents and write letters. I now have to strategise because there is no point in complaining," he said.
He is happy that most of his players are still Under-20 and would be unstoppable in two years' time. "I know problems will always be there but another thing that counted against us this season was our lack of experience. Now with the experience these girls have gained, I am certain we will be hot contenders even next season," he said.
Swallows have been one of the league's most exciting teams this season scaring even giants like Double Action. Prisons and BMC who have been in existence for a longer time were beaten by the Kanye team and it might only be a matter of time before they overhaul the big guns.
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