COACH Gordon Igesund said the quick turnaround at SuperSport United was down to better use of his attacking players, after watching his side lift the Telkom Knockout trophy at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Thuso Phala's stunning 111th-minute strike separated United from a brave Platinum Stars in a 3-2 extra-time victory to the Pretoria team. A drama-filled game of swinging fortunes was easily one of the best cup finals in recent memory.
"I thought it was a wonderful game of football, and I have to give credit to [Stars coach] Allan Freese and his team," Igesund said afterwards. "Both teams wanted to attack and it was end-to-end stuff at one stage."
Both sides played to character. Matsatsantsa were sophisticated and refined, Dikwena gutsy, organised and direct.
United, patchy and lacking in confidence by the end of predecessor Cavin Johnson's era, have scored 20 goals under Igesund.
"When I came in I wanted us to go forward more, because I have a lot of very good attacking players," Igesund said.
"I wanted to do it with speed, and draw teams into certain areas. It's important to give credit the players for taking to it so quickly."
The match's three penalties played a big role and referee Thando Ndzanzeka's decisions will be much discussed.
In the first half Robert Ng'ambi opened the scoring for Stars, before Clayton Daniels equalised from the spot. In extra time, Daniels again scored from a penalty in the 105th minute, and Mogakolodi Ngele equalised with a volley two minutes later.
At 2-2 Stars' Eleazar Rodgers saw his penalty, then shot from the rebound, both magnificently saved by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Then Phala scored the winner.
Igesund revealed he had told Williams which way to go for the penalty.
Stars coach Freese says he has a tough job lifting his players for the league now, where they are in a precarious 14th place.
"You are disappointed when you get into a final and don't win it. But my players did really, really well," the coach said.
Igesund reveals secret of success
COACH Gordon Igesund said the quick turnaround at SuperSport United was down to better use of his attacking players, after watching his side lift the Telkom Knockout trophy at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Thuso Phala's stunning 111th-minute strike separated United from a brave Platinum Stars in a 3-2 extra-time victory to the Pretoria team. A drama-filled game of swinging fortunes was easily one of the best cup finals in recent memory.
"I thought it was a wonderful game of football, and I have to give credit to [Stars coach] Allan Freese and his team," Igesund said afterwards. "Both teams wanted to attack and it was end-to-end stuff at one stage."
Both sides played to character. Matsatsantsa were sophisticated and refined, Dikwena gutsy, organised and direct.
United, patchy and lacking in confidence by the end of predecessor Cavin Johnson's era, have scored 20 goals under Igesund.
"When I came in I wanted us to go forward more, because I have a lot of very good attacking players," Igesund said.
"I wanted to do it with speed, and draw teams into certain areas. It's important to give credit the players for taking to it so quickly."
The match's three penalties played a big role and referee Thando Ndzanzeka's decisions will be much discussed.
In the first half Robert Ng'ambi opened the scoring for Stars, before Clayton Daniels equalised from the spot. In extra time, Daniels again scored from a penalty in the 105th minute, and Mogakolodi Ngele equalised with a volley two minutes later.
At 2-2 Stars' Eleazar Rodgers saw his penalty, then shot from the rebound, both magnificently saved by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Then Phala scored the winner.
Igesund revealed he had told Williams which way to go for the penalty.
Stars coach Freese says he has a tough job lifting his players for the league now, where they are in a precarious 14th place.
"You are disappointed when you get into a final and don't win it. But my players did really, really well," the coach said.
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