#TuksFootball: AmaTuks players want to help SA under-23 team qualify for the Olympics

Posted on November 11, 2019

Getting teams to win trophies and matches will never all it will be about for the AmaTuks coach Zipho Dlangalala. 
 
He considers himself first and foremost as a "guide" who wants to mentor young players fulfil their dreams. Seeing some of his proteges go on to excel at the highest levels of international football is what makes coaching according to him rewarding. 
 
"There is something to be said for it that as a coach, I am able in some small way to contribute to a player's success." 
 
Dlangalala's passion seems to pay dividends. AmaTuks's Katlego Mohamme, Athenkosi Dlala and Kamohelo Mahlatsi are part of the South African team that is currently competing at the  Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo. 
 
There is certainly a lot at stake as it is the continent's qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. On Saturday South Africa played to a 0-0 draw against Zambia. Today they are playing the Ivory Coast. 
 
Dlangalala confidently predicts that the AmaTuks players can impact on the outcome of the game. To prove his point, he referred to what happened during his team's last game. 
 
"Athenkosi Dlala and Kamohelo Mahlatsi scored three of our four goals against Ts Sporting. Mahlatsi scored twice. He could have scored a third goal but being the team player he is, he instead preferred to set up the scoring opportunity. For him, it will always be what is best for the team."
 
The AmaTuks coach can't help but get excited about Mahlatsi on-field heroics. 
 
"Whenever he gets the ball, there is a sense of expectation. It is as if the fans know there is a real chance of something special happening and with reason. Mahlatsi has so many tricks up his 'sleeve'. Nearly 80% of the time, he will get past his opponent. In our last five games, he scored five goals. 
 
"Athenkosi Dlala might not score as often. He is more sort of tactician who can summarise within seconds what needs to be done to outwit his opponents. He can always find space for himself when he has the ball. This near sixth sense of his enables him to set up scoring opportunities. 
 
"Katlego Mohamme is brilliant on defence. It is as if he can pre-empt what is going to happen and be at the right place at the right time to foil the opponent's attacks. His best quality is his ability to think on his feet. Mohamme is undoubtedly not a player to mess with."
- Author Wilhelm de Swardt

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