GIVE DE JONGH A CHANCE - ‘SPOKO’

MBABANE – “Generally we are resistant to change but if we embrace change, things work for the better.”

These were comments by former Sihlangu and Kaizer Chiefs striker Sibusiso ‘Spoko’ Dlamini on under fire coach Pieter De Jongh. Members of Parliament (MPS) made a unanimous submission on Thursday that the mentor had brought nothing but shame and embarrassment to the country. The MPs wanted former coach Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga to be re-engaged as the head of Sihlangu Semnikati.This was during the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs 1st Quarter (April-June) performance report for the year 2017/2018 by Portfolio committee.

Dlamini played for Mamelodi Sundowns, Black Leopards, Chiefs, Moroko Swallows and Mpumalanga Black Aces, in a career that spanned for 11 years in South African football. He, however, made his mark when he was playing for Chiefs where he was an instant sensation, scoring couple of crucial goals for the glamour boys.
“Change is not (in an) instance; it takes time to adapt to change. It was a similar case for Alex Ferguson at Manchester United but when the players started responding to his tactics, the results started coming,” Dlamini explained.
He further said it was unfair for Swazis to write Pieter De Jongh off within a short space of time.

“I think we are being unfair to De Jongh here. He has being only here for few months but we already expecting results. That cannot happen, the players have to adapt to his coaching style. We must give him time to implement what he has to offer before we can judge him,” he said.
Dlamini said comparing De Jongh and Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga was not a fair comparison.
“You cannot compare Sihlangu’s last year’s performance in the COSAFA and this year’s performance.

It is a totally contrasting comparison. In 2016, the players were used to Madze and that is why Sihlangu did well but now they are with the new coach, we cannot expect overnight success,” the former Mamelodi Sundowns striker said.
The former Royal Leopard player, when asked about if players in general do boycott coaches to get him fired, was affirmative.
“Yes, that happens in football but then personally, during my  playing days, I used to embrace every coach’s coaching philosophy and try to listen to what he had to say and then apply that. We are different and it happens all around the world where players boycott the coach but then what worries me the most about that attitude is that all the players are not sure if the new coach will like them. My advice to all players is to embrace all coaches and help the team to win games,” he said.

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