Diadora FC head coach Shakes Mangaliso has emphasized that nothing will deter them from achieving a historic unprecedented treble.
The current Athlone LFA and two-time Coke Cup champion is one game away from yet another historic achievement in the club’s short existence when they vie for promotion in the Third Division Playoffs on Sunday (5 November) when they face a well-drilled Westridge FC (15:30) at the Rooikrans Sports Complex.
The other semi-final between Kalawa and Clover will start off proceedings at 13:30 with the two finalists winning automatic promotion to the Hollywoodbets Third Division.
Mangaliso and his Diadora outfit are also at the center of much debate regarding the alleged corruption and bribery that has rocked the current playoffs with an investigation underway.
This follows after they beat Electric City by 35-1 to win their group (H) ahead of Two For Joy with a superior (plus 2) goal difference. Two for Joy also ended their group games by beating West Coast 22-0.
According to Shakes he has no worries or shame despite the fact that certain quarters of the football public are suspecting that they too had a role in the recent scandal.
“Something that I learned in football is that people will also have something to say irrespective, good or bad,” Mangaliso told No Bones with Jones.
”I can also tell you that in football people are also very jealous and will do everything in their power to bring you down – especially when you achieve success.
“So, I have accepted this as natural and normal and have made peace with it a long time ago. But they will not and can’t break our spirit and derail us. We are as focussed as ever and will not succumb to anyone’s theories or conspiracies,” Mangaliso concluded.
