Royal AM’s exciting youngster Sphiwe Cele is progressing well but he can’t do it all his own and other players must step up to change the fortunes of the club, says coach John Maduka.
Cele was the bright spark as Royal AM lost 3-1 to Stellenbosch FC at Harry Gwala Stadium last Friday, scoring a stunning goal for Maduka’s side.
The youngster picked up the ball near the centre circle and beat a few players of Stellenbosch with speed while still showing tremendous control of the ball before toe poking it into the far corner in the 30th minute.
But Stellenbosch’s young and energetic side took over in the second half, with goals by Deano Van Rooyen (50), Jayden Adams (70) and Iqraam Rayners (72) to turn the game on its head for Steve Barker’s side to collect their second league win of the season.
“He [Sphiwe] is coming all right, he is still a youngster,” said Maduka to iDiski Times.
“As much as you want everyone contributing, most of your players are down and not on that level against a team like this, it can’t happen because you need everyone.
“We need everyone to be on another level to be able to help us to do well.”
This was Cele’s second goal this season for Royal AM, having scored in the 4-2 loss to Orlando Pirates.
During the off season, the 22-year-old scored the winner when Maduka’s side beat AmaZulu to win the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup, the pre-season tourney in Ulundi.
Maduka has to blood Cele and others because the club cannot register new players this season as they serve their FIFA transfer ban after they were found guilty by FIFA for owing their former striker Samir Nurkovic a R12 million.
After it initially seemed as though president Shauwn Mkhize was willing to pay Nurkovic’s money to have the ban overturned, her stance has changed, saying she was scammed by the player as he arrived at the club injured.
Meanwhile, Maduka says the show must go on although things don’t look good for his side, insisting the situation “opens up opportunities for others to grab”.
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“We have to do with whatever we have and try to make plans, try and work hard and we will see how it goes,” Maduka added.
“We have to change our fortunes as quickly as possible and start to win games.”
Royal AM, who are second from bottom on the DStv Premiership table, next host TS Galaxy at Harry Gwala Stadium this coming Sunday (15:00).
