Mental strength key amid Marumo Gallants' CAF and relegation battle - Raymond Mdaka

Mdaka was speaking to the media ahead of their group stage encounter against Algerian giants USM Alger at Dobsonville Stadium this afternoon (15:00 - LIVE on SABC Sport). 

Gallants, who are bottom of the log in the DStv Premiership, are currently second in Group A and trail USM by just a point.

"It's not a simple situation, it's very complex. Honestly, sometimes if you're playing this competition when you are in a very good position in the domestic league, I think it would have a bit of free space and less pressure compared to the one we have here," said Mdaka.

"But other than that, the fact that we've played a number of games, including those last year, as I indicated, the challenge is more about the traveling and it becomes a mental aspect and not more about how much you can put in terms of your physique.

"But it's a matter of managing the minds of the players to remain confident, knowing that, obviously, the league is the important one because it's the league that takes you to the Confederation Cup."

There has been a huge improvement at Gallants since the arrival of coach Dylan Kerr, who was roped in as a technical adviser with head coach Dan “Dance” Malesela put on special leave, and Mdaka explained how this change has impacted the side.

"There are a few areas and approaches [that differ]... But the thing is, in a very short space of time, we've got the same players and never brought in a large number of players, so they understand each other and it makes it easy to change two or three things," he added.

"It might be in terms of the structure, it might be in terms of the system, but it's not that much. What we're trying to do now is... Most people were talking about Gallants, saying they play good football but don't get results.

"So, we're looking at that area most, to say, 'How can we couple playing of good football but with goals?' It means winning becomes the first priority, so we think with [Kerr's] presence and whatever he brought into the team adds to what was there, and that's assisting us as a team."