PSL second division ‘dog eat dog’ says Pitso Dladla

The former Richards Bay mentor was on Thursday unveiled by chairman Abram Sello as the best suited candidate for the mandate.

Dladla guided the Natal Rich Boys to the elite league two seasons ago but says the Motsepe Foundation Championship is highly competitive.

"I can tell you, it's a different league, dog eats do there. You've got to fight more than anything. The most important thing is the psychological factor in this league. Whereby you programme your players in each and every game to die in the field of play. I think that's one thing that one has learnt that whenever you go to the game, go all out," Dladla said.

Gallants begin life in the lower leagues next weekend against Casric Stars at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium.

It’s a journey Dladla insists needs a strong mentality.

"One cannot hide that there [Motsepe Foundation Championship] it's different. It's different for many reasons, it's a promotional league, and everyone wants to be promoted. Unlike Dstv Premiership, sometimes being in the top eight means you've done well, and the management is happy," Dladla added.

Here you need to be number one, at least if you don't get number one, get number two, get number three have a chance to go to the playoffs but you know how difficult it is also to be in the playoffs because the teams from the Dstv Premiership are very, very strong."

The appointment of Dladla gives Gallants a slight edge because of his experience in the second tier, but that didn’t stop the coach from warning his new employers about the challenges to come.

"The logistics make things a little difficult because you know the grant is not the same as Dstv Premiership but you travel the same distance. The logistics have to be spot on. You can't be flying for all the games, sometimes you have to drive, sometimes you have to go and have two days before the match day. 

So, all those things need to be put into consideration. 

Sometimes the grounds are not as good as they are in Dstv Premiership. Sometimes the style of play is compromised because of the field but to be honest it's a very difficult league at least psychologically I'm strong because I know what I'm going to face there."