As impressive as Silver Spurs’ young guns have performed in the Nedbank Cup thus far, their coach Keith America is not entirely satisfied as he knows they can do “much better.”
Despite America’s reservations about his young side, the fact of the matter is that they are on the verge of securing a maiden Nedbank Cup title for Third Division sides following their sudden-death penalty-shootout victory over newcomer Diadora FC at the Royal Road Sport Complex in Maitland on Sunday.
The Silvertown-based outfit will now have to overcome Greenwood Athletic in the Final at the NY 116 Sportsfield in Gugulethu on Wednesday.
Besides the threat of coach Lionel Miller’s Green Machine, America fears that fatigue could hamper the performance of his young troops in Wednesday’s showpiece.
“Three games in two days…. I think it has taken its toll on the players if I can be brutally honest,” America explained to No Bones with Jones.”What’s left for their recovery? It is just as important as playing, you know. So one needs to pay attention to that as well. We’ll probably use Tuesday as recovery as the players need their rest as well,” America added.
One must bear in mind that Kieta, as America is called, is new to the amateur leagues but has played his hand with the young players. He’s giving youngsters, like goalkeeper Zaid Simons, the opportunity to market themselves and to show those who’ve overlooked them what they have missed.
America, who is big on development has ensured that the ‘Unders rule’ does not affect him by blooding young talent and throwing them in the deep end. And along with seasoned campaigners like Nizaam “Tommy” Miller, the greenies are stepping up.
“I think with time I would like to have a starting eleven consisting only of unders,” America further added. “The youngsters are hungry and they want to play, so you must afford them the opportunity and trust they will repay you, but you need to have patience as this is not a quick fix scheme. They have done well so far but I work with them and know they can do much better,” America concluded.
