Baroka winger Richard Matloga reckons the players are motivated to play for their coach Kgoloko Thobejane, hence the team's impressive showing this season.

Bakgaga are surprisingly top of the PSL log after seven matches. The run coincided with the arrival of new technical director Doctor Khumalo.

Based on comments on social media, football fans have credited Khumalo with changing the fortunes of a team that fought relegation last season. Matloga, too, acknowledged Khumalo's influence on the team but said Thobejane is in charge.

"Doctor has brought that winning mentality and since he arrived everyone is working harder. [But] he's not that much involved [at training].

"He watches us train but the coach is the one who does the most work," said 26-year-old Matloga, who has been one of Baroka's key players.

Thobejane may appear like a comic in front of football audiences, but Matloga has nothing but praise for the coach's work, especially his approach to the game. "He wants us to attack more. As they say, the best way to defend is to attack and that's his tactic. He likes keeping it simple," added the player.

"He's a happy man who wants his players to be happy. The players are more than happy to work under him."

The team has scored 11 goals and conceded five so far.

Baroka's next match will be a top-of-the-table clash against Golden Arrows at Peter Mokaba Stadium on October 18.