WITH their hopes for promotion dashed, AmaZulu players are bound to experience less pressure on the field.
Their performances in the remaining five matches under caretaker coach Delron Buckley will determine which players stay on for the next National First Division campaign.
Buckley, who has been instructed to take full control of technical matters after the sacking of Steve Barker on Monday, said he would not make many changes to the way the team approaches the last few matches.
The former Bafana Bafana international expressed sadness at Barker’s sacking, saying he was still in the process of learning more from the former University of Pretoria mentor. “I told the players to show me respect and give 100% effort at training . I can get ugly if they don’t respect me. But for now my task is to tell them where to improve. A player like Nkanyiso Zungu needs self-belief because he is undoubtedly talented.”
Buckley may fancy his chances of starting his tenure on a winning note as they welcome struggling African Warriors at Princess Magogo on Sunday.
The Free State-based Warriors, who are guided by former Thanda Royal Zulu coach Thami Ngubane, are second from bottom with 18 points from 25 matches.
Usuthu occupy eighth spot with 34 points after 25 matches. In their most recent match, the former PSL campaigners lost 1-0 to KZN rivals Royal Eagles.
Buckley, who is wary of Warriors, added that should the team deliver good results, he could be in line to land the coaching job on a full-time basis.
