AmaTuks defender Keegan Allan is targeting promotion to the DStv Premiership after their disappointment of letting the GladAfrica Championship title slip.
Richards Bay secured automatic promotion on the final day of the season, winning the league by two points with Tuks in second place, while Cape Town All Stars finished third, four points behind the Tshwane based outfit.
With Swallows having finished in 15th, they complete the three sides that will compete in the promotion-relegation play-offs next month and Allan admits it’s bittersweet to be in the situation.
“I think it’s a mixture of both, we excited for the opportunity to redeem ourselves but very disappointed to let it slip like that,” Allan told iDiski Times.
“It’s very difficult to say [if we have an advantage over Swallows and All Stars], when it comes to friendlies is one thing but an actual competitive game it’s a different story.
“Swallows are they carry a lot of quality and so do All-Stars, I don’t think anyone should undermine them as they have a lot of quality and experience so we have to do what we can.”
The former Sundowns reserve team talent earned major recognition last week after being nominated amongst Masandawana loanee Luvuyo Phewa Mfundo Thikazi of Royal AM and Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player for the 2021/22 season, something he’s proud to have achieved in his first full season of senior professional football.
However, with interest reportedly brewing and praise heading the way of the tenacious defender, he says he’s just focused on the upcoming month and hopes to be playing in the South African top-flight after a gruelling campaign.
“I thought I had a good Nedbank, it was great exposure for me but that’s an amazing award out of the 100s of teams that are in the competition from SAB to PSL, it’s a great achievement, for the team itself,” Allan added.
“I couldn’t have done it have done it without the head coach, the technical team behind me and all the players around me, I’m looking forward to it but to be honest my head of nowhere near that – I’m just focused on the play-offs, try and get it over with and get into the PSL.”
TUKS open up the play-off campaign against All-Stars in Cape Town on Sunday at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch at 15h00.
