JOHANNESBURG – Slovakian coach Jozef Vukusic promised to bring German efficiency sprinkled with good football at Polokwane City after signing a four-year contract with Rise and Shine.
Vukusic cut his coaching teeth in Germany where he obtained a Uefa Pro Licence. Yesterday he was announced as Polokwane’s coach with the mandate of improving on the club’s 12th place finish in the PSL last season, which was a step back from the sixth place finish they achieved two seasons ago. Vukusic will be assisted by Bernard Molekwa who was demoted from the role of head coach.
“I did my coaching licence in Germany,” Vukusic said. “You know that Germans are very specific (and methodological). Their philosophy is based on discipline, responsibility, organisation and good system. I took a lot from that. But my philosophy is to balance that with good football.
That means that we will play nice for the fans because I know that even here in Polokwane we have very good fans. Many people come to the stadium to watch us. They identify with the club. So it’s important to offer them good soccer. But I want us to balance good soccer with discipline, balance the offence and defence because we want to achieve good results for the fans.”
Polokwane City unveiled their new coach and signings this week. Photo: @polokwane_city on Twitter
The Slovakian will start his stint at Rise and Shine with a baptism of fire by travelling to Thohoyandou to take on Black Leopards and then face Baroka FC in Limpopo derbies in their opening matches in the league. Vukusic’s more than two decades of coaching experience will be put to the test in his second stint in the country. He managed FC Cape Town in the first division for two years from 2010-2012 in a coaching career that started in Germany, then took him back to his homeland before working in South Africa, Libya, Kazakhstan and Latvia.
“(FC Cape Town) was my first experience in South Africa,” Vukusic said. “I didn’t know what to expect. But now I know... that there are very good players here who are strong physically and good technically. I want to use this potential and unify it with my philosophy, from that I am sure that we will achieve things together with the players, management and technical team.”
Rise and Shine also unveiled seven players.
Mohammed Anas headlined those signings that also include Msekeli Mvalo, Bongani Manavhela, Khayalethu Mjoli, Teboho Kalake, Themba Chauke and Lehlohonolo Nhlapo.
Polokwane’s chairman, Johnny Mogaladi, said the club will also sign an experienced centreback, attacking midfielder and striker before the transfer window closes.