Waterfall’s Total Football Excellence learnt a lot from Pirates Cup
Total Football Excellence owner Theodora Crozet said over 1000 teams entered and they were lucky to have made the cut.
Total Football Excellence (TFE) senior coach Isaac ‘Iceman’ Mabotsa believes playing in the Pirates Cup over the Easter weekend was good for his players in terms of development and self-belief.
Mabotsa, a former Kaizer Chiefs, Supersport United and defunct Bidvest Wits and Mpumalanga Black Aces defender, said this was a good experience for the young players.
The tournament was played at Mark’s Park from March 28 to April 1 and was organised by Soweto Giants and Premier Soccer League team, Orlando Pirates Football Club.
Mabotsa said they were pitted against strong opponents which ensured that the players get the opportunity to build their character.
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“As a coach, I saw this tournament as a good experience and exposure for the team. I sat down with all the players and explained to them what it really means to play in such a big tournament. It builds a player’s character because you have an opportunity to play against the best,” said Mabotsa.
He said the intensity and quality of the tournament builds courage and self-belief. Asked if there were areas that he thought his team needed to improve on after the competition, Mabotsa said his boys were getting along well.
“I mean, honestly, for some of the players this was their first time in a competition of this magnitude. But I am happy with every aspect of our play. I think the more we get to participate in these competitions, the more we will get the experience we need to maybe win it one day. They know what is expected of them,” he added.
TFE owner Theodora Crozèt said the coach was right because it was their second time playing in the cup, their maiden representation was back in 2022.
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“Participating in the Pirates Cup was a privilege for us. Ours now is to attempt to try to get in the competition year-on-year so that our players can get used to playing at this level. But our team is made up of younger players and we want to maintain that structure so that we can help develop them holistically,” said Crozèt.
She said over 1 000 teams entered and they were lucky to have made the cut.
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