It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. This is undoubtedly true in the case of Tlisane Motaung, who coaches AmaTuks.

In every photo of Motaung during a game, his passion for football is noticeable.  You will see him gesturing to get a player to stick to the plan. Or with one arm raised in triumph with his fist clenched moments after a goal is scored. There are also moments of frustration. Motaung bent forward, briefly averting his eyes from the game, as if he couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. 

The one photo not yet taken is one of Motaung sitting with a vague expression, as if he does not care. Those who know him will tell you there will never be such a photo. Motaung is too passionate about the game and getting AmaTuks to be the best. 

He is succeeding. AmaTuks will start to battle it out to play in the PSL promotion playoffs. It is the second time in three years that the team will do so. In the 2021–2022 season, Tuks lost in the final against Swallows. 

Since Motaung took the reigns as AmaTuk's head coach, his only goal has been to get the team to play in the DStv Premiership. Like the team did in the 2012–2013 season.

He certainly got the players to share his dream. When talking to Frank Singnkhi Mpedi, it is clear they have the utmost respect. 

"Coach Motaung is one of the most honest individuals. There is never any middle-of-the-road when he coaches. To him, something is either done the right way or not. He is not shy about letting you know when you have made a mistake. He only does so because he wants us to be the best we can be and the team to win," is the consensus amongst players. 

For Motaung, it is about creating an on- and off-field environment where players feel at home. 

"Every player should feel what they bring to the team is appreciated. Players should not be afraid to voice their opinions as we learn from each other. Most important to me is total trust in each other's abilities."

Before Motaung started coaching, AmaTuks’ win-loss record could have made for better reading. In the season-ending 2021 season, they won 12 games and lost 13 in the National First Division. In the 90 games with Motaung as the coach, AmaTuks has only lost 18 games and won 34. On 38 occasions, they played to a draw.

The team's success could be attributed to Motaung's firm belief that a team that does not concede goals can't lose. 

"In this campaign, our defence has been brilliant. We only conceded 22 goals in 30 games, the lowest by any team in the league. Naturally, I would love for us to score more goals. If we did, we could have won one or two more games. Which could have meant we automatically qualified for the DStv Premiership. But it is what it is."

Motaung is realistic about the challenge of playing in the PSL promotional playoffs.

"There are not going to be any easy games. We will have to score more goals, and we got the players to do so."

Baroka and Richards Bay will be the other two teams playing in the playoffs. The playoffs are a round-robin tournament, with each team playing at home and away.