Outspoken Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC coach Lucky Nelukau has rejected the notion that he was somewhat served humble pie after being knocked out in the Nedbank Cup semi-final by Marumo Gallants.
TTM had a brilliant cup run, having eliminated two DStv Premiership sides, namely Lamontville Golden Arrows and SuperSport United before suffering a 1-0 defeat in the semis.
The vocal Nelukau says he was left shocked and speechless, insisting his side dominated the entire match but luck was not on their side.
“No this is not humble pie, I’m proud of my team, my players they did their best, they were all over Marumo Gallants. Just that it’s lucky, they were a lucky team Marumo Gallants,” Nelukau told the media.
“I’m speechless, you saw it yourself, we dominated the first half. We came back, second half we were also doing the same, it’s just that I don’t know, we were unlucky.
“I don’t blame my players, I think they did their best and just that we have to focus on these last three games of the league.
“I told them before the game that if you miss chances, they will come back and score, meaning we will lose the game because of this small thing but we are going to go back to the drawing board and fix it.
Nelukau, though, doubts whether Dan Malesela’s team can go all the way and win the final as they now wait to see whether they will face Royal AM or Mamelodi Sundowns.
“If the approach can come like this, they’ve got good players and I’m sure about that but with this approach I doubt,” he added.
The second Nedbank Cup semi-final is set to take place at 19:00 at Chatsworth Stadium today, while Tshakuma FC will face high-flying Cape Town All Stars in Cape Town on 3 May at 15:00.
To read about the latest transfer talk and exclusive interviews with Josef Zinnbauer, Brandon Petersen and Baroka president Khurishi Mphahlele as well as columns by Muhsin Ertugal and referee Nkosinathi ‘Shoes’ Mahon, get the FREE ONLINE VERSION of our iDiski Times newspaper.
ENGLISH iDiski Times Edition 51 – Josef Zinnbauer & Brandon Petersen
