Simphiwe Mafene believes their final match reflects a strong maiden season

This after his charges went 2-1 down at the hands of the KwaZulu-Natal outfit at Davidson Stadium - to wrap up the season on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Mafene believes the players gave their all despite playing back-to-back fixtures in just two days.

“The final match was a strong reflection of our progress throughout the season. The team showed good tactical organisation, composure, and resilience. While there are still areas we need to refine, the overall performance was positive and highlighted the growth and maturity within the squad.

“After traveling from Mpumalanga against TS Galaxy on Thursday morning, to come and play our last match against Royal am in two days. We then realised that our players gave their all and we are truly grateful for the experience,” said Mafene.

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The students got to enjoy a decent season as newcomers, currently in top four with 52 points after 30 days.

“Well, the Mandate was clear, which was being in the top four. Our position on the log is the result of consistent effort, disciplined preparation, and a strong team culture. Our players have shown commitment on and off the field, and the technical staff have worked well together to ensure structured training, proper conditioning, and effective match planning.

He is now confident with his combinations and believes they have built a solid foundation heading into the new season

“Absolutely. We have developed balanced and effective combinations across the pitch, and the understanding among the players has improved significantly. With a solid foundation in place and a full pre-season ahead, I’m confident we can further sharpen these combinations and strengthen the areas that need additional depth for the 2026 Season.”