Marumo Gallants captain not worried about delayed start to season

Gallants were scheduled to face Mamelodi Sundowns in their opening fixture of the Betway Premiership this past weekend, but that game was postponed to August 19 at the latter’s request as their pre-season camp in Europe was delayed. Manaka says this does not affect them negatively in any way, and provides an opportunity to integrate new players into their system.

"For us the delay I think it has been a blessing because we have a little bit more time to merge the old old players with the new ones. So it will work in our favour and we will have a little more time to prepare for these games, " said Manaka

READ: Richards Bay explain Jomo Biyela confrontation with match officials

Marumo are not in the MTN8 meaning they’ll only kick the ball in anger next week Tuesday against Kruger United. Manaka says whether it’s Sundowns or the newly-promoted side, they are ready to face any team in the top flight as they’ve prepared themselves well during pre-season.

"Yeah, we at Marumo Gallants have been preparing well. This is an elite league, so you need to prepare well. You need to be ready and prepared for any opponent. We respect every opponent, but we are ready for all of them. 

"Everybody wants to play those types of teams, you know, when we start. It shows how far you've come with preparations. But we are ready; it's not something we think about too deeply, but you need to be ready for any opponent." 

Being one of the most experienced players in the league, Manaka would have faced the responsibility of motivating his teammates in a fierce relegation battle last season. He says all he had to do was help the team focus on the field and not the outside issues the club faced recently.

Bahlabane ba Ntwa will play their home games at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg this season after relocating from Bloemfontein, and Manaka was excited at this prospect.