Local coach aims high
Birch Acres-based Pule United FC's coach, Mr Pule Sibanda, said he is aiming to stay competitive during the upcoming games of the Tembisa United Football Association's (TUFA) Promotional League.
Striving with the slogan of Re tshela thupa, Mr Sibanda said they not only want to win, but want to consolidate and retain their status in the VW League.
“We are currently third out of 20 teams, with 27 points from 13 games played. We will be competing in the promotional league. We will have to stay focused and do what we do. We need to do it better and longer than what we have done to this point of the season,” he added.
He said the team is challenged by the issue of not having grounds in Birch Acres for training sessions.
“Although we have this challenge, my players are doing fine and their spirits are up. They need to focus on their job and must try to not get caught up in the atmosphere of the league and the huge crowd I am sure will attend the games,” he said.
Mr Sibanda added that his goal is to see young boys from Birch Acres and the surrounding area realising their dreams in plying their trade at a higher level.
“We want to act as a stepping stone to professional football for these young people. I am also aiming to have an academy where I will have all the divisions. The problem with this this that there is no soccer field for Birch Acres. I have knocked on different doors about the issue, but I have had no success,” he added.
Mr Sibanda is appealing to the community of Birch Acres and Phomolong to support his team.
“It pains me to see the Birch Acres team having more supporters in Tembisa than in its own area,” he said.
