FC Raycon is building a team for the upcoming season

FC Raycon Ladies are in the midst of a transformative journey, focusing on building a competitive squad for the upcoming season.
Despite a recent 2-1 loss to Emmarentia Pirates FC at the Alex Safe Hub, Coach Koketso Matsemela remains optimistic, emphasising the team’s long-term vision over short-term setbacks.

Read more: FC Raycon Ladies lose 2-1 to Emmarentia Pirates in Sasol League

“Now the league is gone, our fight is to be in the top eight, and to build a team that is going to compete next year. I believe we are doing very good, and we are in the right lane. Unfortunately, the results are not showing yet. But, with each game, we are getting better,” he shared.

Reflecting on their recent match, Matsemela attributed their loss to a defensive lapse that allowed Emmarentia to score their first goal, followed by a second goal before the break. “We wanted to win the game desperately, and I think that’s why the result didn’t go our way,” Matsemela shared.

Emmarentia’s 2-0 lead forced Raycon to make tactical adjustments, pushing more players forward in a desperate bid to equalise. This shift, however, exposed vulnerabilities. “We even changed how we play, pushing more people to the front, and that led us to make many errors,” Matsemela admitted.

Emmarentia’s defensive setup, featuring three centre-backs against Raycon’s lone striker, prompted Matsemela to substitute a defender for an additional striker. The move paid off late, with Raycon pulling one back in the final 17 minutes, though it was not enough to turn the tide.

Looking at Raycon’s performance, Matsemela said the team’s struggles reflected their youth-focused rebuilding phase. “Our challenge is that we are trying to build a young team. We’re integrating young players from our development side into the Sasol League. It’s a challenge, but we’re laying the foundation for a team that will compete next year.”

With only two players from last season’s squad and just one playing in the recent match against Emmarentia, Raycon is undergoing a significant lineup overhaul. Matsemela said many experienced players were unavailable due to other commitments, forcing the team to rely heavily on their new players. Despite three consecutive losses in the league, Matsemela praises his team, noting that they are working hard and doing their best.

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