Brandon Truter has sent a small taunt about being among the nominees for the Coach of the Season after leading Sekhukhune United to a first top-eight finish in the DStv Premiership, a CAF Confederations Cup qualification and a cup final.
Babina Noko narrowly defeated SuperSport United 1-0 at home on the final day of the season and ended in seventh position equal on 40 points with Stellenbosch ahead of them and Swallows FC in eighth place.
Truter, who found the club in 15th position when he was appointed, he says the achievements are unbelievable because everything came together in a short space of time, leading him to sarcastically question his omission from the Coach of the Year nominees.
“We into CAF, we’re playing CAF Confederations Cup, we have a major cup final next week, so much is happening – from 15th position until now, and we still don’t get talked about for Coach of the Year…” he said on SuperSport TV.
“So well done to everybody associated, the technical team, my management… The players were magnificent, coachable and what more can we ask for?”
Truter reiterated the achievements in the post-match press conference, highlighting the magnificent effort his technical team and players.
“I’m not looking for any personal accolades or anything like that. I’ve never gotten the recognition, I’m not saying I deserve or anything like that,” he stated.
“But coming in from 15th position by a team that were relegation candidates or favourites to get relegated, taking them from there, qualified for the MTN8, [qualified for] CAF Confederations Cup and an amazing cup final in one season, I’m happy for that.
“But whatever we are doing now is the puzzle that came nicely together and of course we look forward to next season.
“That’s what I’m looking forward to, cutting down [the squad], trimming and getting a core a base and hoping to stay in certain positions that will help us achieve much more next season.”
Sekhukhune will play Orlando Pirates in their first ever Nedbank Cup final next Saturday in Tshwane, when they could lift the club’s first piece of silverware.
