Dondol Stars co-coach Khuliso Rashamuse has made it clear they are willing to let their top performers leave for greener pastures should opportunities arise.
Dondol, who are on course to winning the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League stream, enjoyed a dream run in the Nedbank Cup until they were knocked out by Orlando Pirates via penalties after a gutsy display in the quarterfinals at Peter Mokaba Stadium at the weekend. The side from Mamelodi, Tshwane, eliminated Premiership sides SuperSport United and AmaZulu from the competition.
“At Dondol Stars we advocate for player development. We don’t stand in the way of players’ opportunities. Lesedi Kapinga [who’s playing for Mamelodi Sundowns] is a Dondol Stars product... Senzo Nkwanyane, who’s now plying his trade with Sekhukhune, but I think he’s loaned out, is also a Dondol Stars prodigy. The chairman [Lordwick Makhura] believes in developing and giving people better lives and a future in football,” Rashamuse said.
“I think this tournament [the Nedbank Cup] is mainly for that [marketing players from lower divisions] as well. If you play against SuperSport and you beat them 2-1... you go the extra mile against AmaZulu, obviously one or two, three players will be scouted and that’s what we want. As a coach, if Spha [Sphamandla Gumede, the goalkeeper] finds a contract or [Kamogelo] Sambo the centre-back or whoever, I am happy because that means I have developed a player for bigger teams in SA.”
The third-tier side scored the equaliser courtesy of Tebogo Makungo two minutes after Thembinkosi Lorch put Pirates ahead in the 55th minute, taking the game to extra time before losing 5-4 on penalties.
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