Opposition squaring up against Zizwe United (Ikapa Sporting) will be excused if they thought for a split second that they are lining up against a professional side in the PSL.
For the mere fact that Zizwe, are loaded with former pro players like Waseem Isaacs, Lesvin Stoffels, Yanga Baliso, Thabiso Mpama, Sandile Nomjila, Bonisile Ngxola, Olwethu Neyeme, Nkosithandile Magobolo, XhantiLomzi Mesana and Benjamin Mpiri – recruited for their quest to retain their ABC Motsepe League-status
Not to mention their Zizwe’s CAF A-certified coach in Zane Ryklief who has been around the proverbial block so to speak.
Needless to say, Ikapa’s owner, Shaun Pietersen, played his hand and it showed that he was going to leave nothing to chance – especially with the A-lister additions after the acquisition of Zizwe’s second division status. Truth be told, with all this fire power, it unfortunately did not have the desire effect
After 10 matches, Zizwe is flirting with relegation after they could amas it’s been tough and is proving to be challenging to say the least – even with the ex-pros they have roped in recently it appears from the outside that Zizwe has bitten off more than what it can chew with this undertaking,
And Ryklief emphasized that they will have to pick up points sooner rather than later.
“To have all the experience is one thing, but if you can put the ball in the net, it’s another,” Ryklief pointed out to No Bones with Jones. “The team will have to find itself, you know, Remember we’re bringing two teams together. And without making excuses, it’s tougher to come into a season and have a preseason with your own players, you know.
“We need to find our feet quickly. Look, it was always going to be a challenge when you inherited a team and needed to take over from the other coaches. Look, the talent is there but we are in a bad space mentality and sometimes you just have to face the harsh realities head-on, you know. But look, we’ll soldier on as all is not lost,” Ryklief concluded.
