Phuti Mohafe backs Polokwane City’s top eight credentials

Mohafe was speaking after Rise and Shine closed off their 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign with a goalless draw against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.

He believes this finish is a clear sign of growth and consistency under his leadership.

“We have progressed as a team because when you check last season, we were in position eight, so we are in position seven, we are progressing. As a team, we are growing and considering the fact that we had some difficulties during the season, we lost form at some point, we had multiple injuries and I think in that one, we did well as a team,” Mohafe said.

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By ending the season in 7th place, Polokwane City have booked a quarterfinal clash with Orlando Pirates in the MTN8.

Coach Mohafe says facing one of the “big three” is always a challenge, but insists their place in the top eight is well-earned, not luck.

“It’s always tough to play the big three and it’s not by mistake or by fluke that we qualified for the top eight. So, for us to be there it means we are ready to take whoever is in the top eight. We have to brace ourselves for that and say let’s go and give it a shot because if you can’t try, you’ll never know,” he added.

Mohafe praised his side’s discipline and tactical execution in the draw with Chiefs, especially after naming an unchanged lineup from the 2-0 loss to Cape Town City.

He credits their pressing and structure to strong preparation.

“We have been doing that throughout the season but in some matches, we lost that and today, with the players' intention of knowing what has to happen after the game, that is where we told the boys that we had to suffer without the ball.

“So that came with defensive discipline as a team, not as individuals, as the whole team we defended very well. We set ourselves up for counterattacks and for the set pieces and it panned out to be a very good strategy for us today.”