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Cape Town - Platinum Stars head coach Allan Freese said he was delighted to see his team being crowned MTN8 champions in his maiden season in the Premier Soccer League.
Stars defeated favourites, Orlando Pirates, 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban last Saturday.
“Am happy to win this trophy for the club, players, our supporters and also happy for myself,” Freese told Sport24.
Although Freese is thrilled with the R8m competition triumph, he admitted that the celebrations are now over as Dikwena switch focus to their Telkom Knockout last 16 game against Maritzburg United this weekend.
“The MTN8 is behind us now, we are now focusing on the Telkom Knockout and hopefully we will also do well in the tournament as well as in the league.
“It is going to be a tough encounter against Maritzburg but we will do our best to compete for more honours.”
Freese took over from the hot seat at Dikwena from Cavin Johnson who is now at the helm of SuperSport United at the end of last season.
Dikwena had a superb season under Johnson, finishing second on the log just a single point behind champions Kaizer Chiefs and narrowly lost in the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup to SuperSport United.
The former Dynamos left back also hinted he felt no pressure to deliver this season.
“Pressure to deliver? Not at all.”
“I was here for a long time. I have been an assistant coach to various coaches at the club.
“I have worked with Steve Komphela, Owen Da Gama and last year with Cavin Johnson, so to me there were no pressures at all because I know the players, management plus the culture of the team but I’m glad I managed to win something for the team.”
The former Wits Youth Academy mentor also said he felt calm before the penalty shootout against Pirates, stating that he did not give instructions to his charges nor decide who should take the spot kicks.
“We practiced penalties a lot at training.
“I was confident we will win, so I never bothered myself with those talks before the penalties and at the end of the day my confidence paid off.”
The Tycoons will commence with their search for the Telkom Knockout title against the Team of Choice at the Moruleng Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00.
Stars defeated favourites, Orlando Pirates, 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban last Saturday.
“Am happy to win this trophy for the club, players, our supporters and also happy for myself,” Freese told Sport24.
Although Freese is thrilled with the R8m competition triumph, he admitted that the celebrations are now over as Dikwena switch focus to their Telkom Knockout last 16 game against Maritzburg United this weekend.
“The MTN8 is behind us now, we are now focusing on the Telkom Knockout and hopefully we will also do well in the tournament as well as in the league.
“It is going to be a tough encounter against Maritzburg but we will do our best to compete for more honours.”
Freese took over from the hot seat at Dikwena from Cavin Johnson who is now at the helm of SuperSport United at the end of last season.
Dikwena had a superb season under Johnson, finishing second on the log just a single point behind champions Kaizer Chiefs and narrowly lost in the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup to SuperSport United.
The former Dynamos left back also hinted he felt no pressure to deliver this season.
“Pressure to deliver? Not at all.”
“I was here for a long time. I have been an assistant coach to various coaches at the club.
“I have worked with Steve Komphela, Owen Da Gama and last year with Cavin Johnson, so to me there were no pressures at all because I know the players, management plus the culture of the team but I’m glad I managed to win something for the team.”
The former Wits Youth Academy mentor also said he felt calm before the penalty shootout against Pirates, stating that he did not give instructions to his charges nor decide who should take the spot kicks.
“We practiced penalties a lot at training.
“I was confident we will win, so I never bothered myself with those talks before the penalties and at the end of the day my confidence paid off.”
The Tycoons will commence with their search for the Telkom Knockout title against the Team of Choice at the Moruleng Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00.
