With the first five Motsepe Foundation Championship games done and dusted, Highbury FC coach Kabelo Sibiya is aiming to make their title contender intentions known in the next five league matches.
The Gqeberha-based side finished their first opening matches on nine points — one point short of their goal to collect ten.
Highbury are third on the log after having played to three draws and two victories.
They remain unbeaten in the league this season.
Sibiya said he was pleased with the team’s progress so far.
Their upcoming matches will be against Black Leopards away, Leicesterford City away, Casric Stars at home and Hungry Lions away.
“There has been some progress,” Sibiya said.
“When we played the first match against Tuks, as much as we drew, we struggled to control the match.
“In the second game, we played away to Kruger, and there we were able to control the game, and we created chances.
"We came back and played away to Baroka FC. We played well in the first half.
“Again, when we played away to Midlands, we played well in the first half, and in the last 20 minutes of the match, we didn’t do well.
"But today I am so happy we finished so strongly, it’s something I have been trying to correct and trying to improve.
“However, the guy’s finished the game so they are gelling and we are getting our corrections right.
“Whatever we pick up as coaching points, we go back and we correct them, and we come back into the next match and we see an improvement.
“We are happy about the progress and the direction the club is taking.”
The coach said their next five matches would be challenging as four would be away games.
“We are going away to Black Leopards, and whether they are down there on the log, they are still a big club.
“They are an experienced club, but we believe we can win and draw football matches away from home.
“We went to Kruger and they were top of the log last season in fourth place, but we went there and we came back with a big point, though we could have won that game.
“We went to Midlands and got a draw there as well, so we believe we can win matches away from home this season.
“We will do our best in our next five matches.
“It’s four away and one at home. So, our next fixtures are going to be very difficult, but if we come out of those matches with 10 points, then we will be title contenders.”
The Yellow Nation will play against Leopards on Saturday, at Thohoyandou Stadium (3.30pm).
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.