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Craig praises Birds' fighting spirit

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME: Harry Nyirenda of Leopards, left, fights for the ball with Moroka Swallows' two-goal hero Vuyisile Wana on Wednesday Photo: Veli Nhlapo
RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME: Harry Nyirenda of Leopards, left, fights for the ball with Moroka Swallows' two-goal hero Vuyisile Wana on Wednesday Photo: Veli Nhlapo

Everyone expected Moroka Swallows coach Craig Rosslee to gloat on Wednesday night following a performance from his side that would have had any former coach green with envy.

But to the contrary, he praised the team, describing them as "experienced, confident and talented".

The Dube Birds were on the rampage against Black Leopards in their 2-0 win during a relegation/promotion play-off clash at Dobsonville Stadium.

Their display left many wondering where they would have been at the end of the season had they showed even just a fraction of the same resilience in dispatching their counterparts from the National First Division.

"The reality is that they are playing for their futures and their families," Rosslee said.

"I haven't had to do too much to motivate them because they understand the situation they are in and want to get out of it.

"I've only given them direction because there's a lot of experience, confidence and talent here."

The coach said the 10 days after the end of the season were crucial for the club's preparations.

"We worked on our shape and we are playing to our players' strengths and relying on their experience," Rosslee said.

"We don't really have a striker but perhaps six talented wingers, more than anything else. I congratulated one of them in Vuyisile Wana [the two-goal hero] on being in the right place at the right time for us during the game.

"And as for [Siyabonga] Nomvethe, I can't praise him enough. As long as we stick to the game plan we will continue to fight."

Rosslee said he hoped his side would carry the momentum into Sunday's match away to Jomo Cosmos at the Vaal Tech Stadium.

Kickoff is at 3pm.

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