By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Sekhukhune United have appointed Owen da Gama as co-coach for the remainder of the season as they seek to arrest an alarming slide down the league table and rescue their bid for a top eight place.
The newly-promoted side had been early season pacesetters with Mamelodi Sundowns, but have won just one of their last 13 games and were it not for that fast start, would be embroiled in a relegation scarp.
The club issued the following statement on Thursday.
“Sekhukhune United Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Owen ‘Thifhuriwi’ Da Gama as the co-coach of the team,” a club statement read.
“Da Gama who is affectionately known as ‘the Rubber Doll’ will be working alongside Sekhukhuke United FC head coach, MacDonald Makhubedu for the remainder of the 2021/22 PSL campaign.
“Da Gama (60) was born on the 18th of August 1961 in Volksrust, South Africa.
“He previously managed Dynamos, HP Silver Stars, PSM Parkhurst, Orlando Pirates, Free State Stars, Blpmefontem Celtic, Platinum Stars, South Africa under-23 team, South Africa (assistant coach), Highlands Park as well as TS Galaxy.”
The highly-experienced Da Gama has been brought in to try and steady the ship in the remaining five matches and try and close the gap between them and SuperSport United in eighth.
“I am so happy to be part of the future team in South Africa. This team is going to go very far. The management is very professional, the support staff, everybody in the team is up to scratch,” Da Gama said.
“Using my experience in the PSL for the last 20 years, an important question I was asked is how to motivate the players to turn the fortunes around.
“I have to get into the heads of the players. I have to understand where they are and what are their ambitions. Where do they want to go? By understanding how a player thinks, then you can motivate them in a direction they want to go.”
Sekhukhune’s next game is against Lamontville Golden Arrows on Saturday in a PSL encounter that will be played at Princess Magogo Stadium.
Babina Noko are currently placed 10th on the league standings 10 points above the relegation zone and four points behind eighth-placed SuperSport United.