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Cape Town - Following their victory over Kaizer Chiefs last weekend, Platinum Stars head coach Allan Freese says their change of game plan at half-time proved the difference as they booked a place in the Telkom Knockout final.
Dikwena eliminated Chiefs in the semi-finals of the R4.25m competition when they triumphed 1-0 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
Thabiso Semenya’s 52nd minute strike proved to be their golden ticket to the final.
Speaking exclusively to Sport24, the MTN8-winning coach revealed that despite their slow start to the game, he was confident of a victory but needed to slightly alter his plan in the second period.
“There was nothing wrong with our play,” said Freese.
“We made a slow start yes but we needed to change our game plan. We sat down at half-time and re-structured our tactics and I’m happy that at the end of the game it worked.”
The former Dynamos defender also hailed his goalkeeper, Siyabonga Mpontshane, for an heroic performance on the night.
The 27-year-old shot-stopper had a brilliant game and was the difference between the Amakhosi and a victory with his mentor confident that he’ll again get a national call up soon.
“He is very easy to motivate and he is an experienced goalkeeper.
“I’m really happy for him and he too is very happy for his performance and I’m sure that he will get another call-up to play for the national team as he has been called before.”
Stars will take on Orlando Pirates in the title decider in two weeks’ time, but Freese said it's too early to comment about the encounter as his focus is on the next league games against AmaZulu (Wednesday) and Golden Arrows (Saturday).
“Not now. We still have some games to play before that,” said Freese.
“So I can’t talk about that the final now, we will have to wait and see about that as we get closer to it.”
Stars already have won title in the cabinet this season, having beaten the Buccaneers in the final of the MTN8.
Meanwhile, Pirates defeated their Pretoria rivals, SuperSport United, 2-1 after extra-time courtesy of Oupa Manyisa and Andile Jali goals, while Mame Niang was on target for Cavin Johnson’s men.
The score was tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
The much anticipated final will be played at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga on December 7.
Kick-off time is yet to be determined by the Premier Soccer League.
Dikwena eliminated Chiefs in the semi-finals of the R4.25m competition when they triumphed 1-0 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
Thabiso Semenya’s 52nd minute strike proved to be their golden ticket to the final.
Speaking exclusively to Sport24, the MTN8-winning coach revealed that despite their slow start to the game, he was confident of a victory but needed to slightly alter his plan in the second period.
“There was nothing wrong with our play,” said Freese.
“We made a slow start yes but we needed to change our game plan. We sat down at half-time and re-structured our tactics and I’m happy that at the end of the game it worked.”
The former Dynamos defender also hailed his goalkeeper, Siyabonga Mpontshane, for an heroic performance on the night.
The 27-year-old shot-stopper had a brilliant game and was the difference between the Amakhosi and a victory with his mentor confident that he’ll again get a national call up soon.
“He is very easy to motivate and he is an experienced goalkeeper.
“I’m really happy for him and he too is very happy for his performance and I’m sure that he will get another call-up to play for the national team as he has been called before.”
Stars will take on Orlando Pirates in the title decider in two weeks’ time, but Freese said it's too early to comment about the encounter as his focus is on the next league games against AmaZulu (Wednesday) and Golden Arrows (Saturday).
“Not now. We still have some games to play before that,” said Freese.
“So I can’t talk about that the final now, we will have to wait and see about that as we get closer to it.”
Stars already have won title in the cabinet this season, having beaten the Buccaneers in the final of the MTN8.
Meanwhile, Pirates defeated their Pretoria rivals, SuperSport United, 2-1 after extra-time courtesy of Oupa Manyisa and Andile Jali goals, while Mame Niang was on target for Cavin Johnson’s men.
The score was tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
The much anticipated final will be played at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga on December 7.
Kick-off time is yet to be determined by the Premier Soccer League.
