Inter Africa Academy head coach Theo Hempe (pictured) maintains that the debutants in the ABC Motsepe League will turn the corner and retain their Second Division status for next season.
The Academy, who is operating under the banner of Batalions FC after it bought the status of the Paarl-based club prior to the start of the season as dictated by the uniform rules, have found the going tough to say the least.
Inter Africa’s owner Moegsien Rauff will be able to do the name change next season should they retain their status this season.
Progress has been rather slow for Hempe with his recruitment of quality and experienced players, hence, they found themselves battling to get to grips on all fronts.
Batalions is currently occupying the last position in stream B – still searching for their first win of the season.
The one thing that possibly counts in Hempe’s favour is that teams the Oriented Birds and City Kings are also struggling and are just three points better off as the newbies.
Hempe pointed out that he is happy with proceedings thus but the lack of quality could become a cause of concern.
“Look, there are still 12 matches left and feel that we can still turn the corner,” Hempe told No Bones with Jones. “I have to concede that we need strengthening in certain areas especially in the striker department and I am working hard in that department as that is one position where you don’t want to struggle with because then you will definitely fight relegation.
“There are enough quality defenders and the midfield is starting to gel. So, it is just the frontline that needs attention,” Hempe added.
The newbies welcome one of the favourites Antalyaspor JPM Cape Town on Saturday and Hempe is hopeful that they can cash in on home ground advantage to break their duck.
“I am intending on changing the formation to add more strength on attack to increase our (goal scoring) chances doesn’t matter who we are playing against the log leaders in our stream we are definitely going to win,” Hempe concluded.
