After surprising many in the way they won automatic promotion from the Motsepe Foundation Championship on the final day of last season, Polokwane City were probably the quietest team during the off-season. They were going about their business silently as they prepared for the new campaign and the work they put in behind the scenes is showing in how well they have started in the DStv Premiership, as well as in the Carling Knockout, where they hammered the more fancied SuperSport United 4-1 in the Last 16 last weekend. Lehlohonolo Seema was brought in as coach and he has helped inspire the team's good run, as he made a return to the coaching hotseat in the PSL. In this interview, Soccer Laduma's Tshepang Mailwane speaks to the former Bloemfontein Celtic and Golden Arrows mentor about the impressive start Rise and Shine has made to the campaign and why he has not ruled the Limpopo side out of the big titles just yet this season.
Tshepang Mailwane: Coach, looking at how well Polokwane City have started this season, how surprised are you? You've started so well in the league and are through to the Carling Knockout quarterfinals after your convincing victory over SuperSport United in the Last 16.
Lehlohonolo Seema: Look, I think the guys are working very hard and it's always nice when you can see the rewards of hard work. But people are asking if we are surprised. We are not surprised because we are a team that is working hard. When you work hard, you build your own luck, and you get results. We are fighting for each and every point, so we are definitely not surprised. But we know that we are not there yet. There is still a lot of work to do and a long way to go. We are just happy with the progress that has been happening. Football is a process, and we are taking it one game at a time. It's step by step. It's not about me. I have been welcomed by everybody, from the management, the players and the technical team. They have all been working very hard and we are still enjoying our time so far.
TM: For a club like Rise and Shine, which might not necessarily challenge for the league title, do you see the Carling Knockout as an opportunity to bring in silverware?
LS: I don't know why you say we can't challenge for the league. I don't know why. We are in the league to challenge for it. Whatever is on offer, we will give it a good fight and we can't just say we are not challenging. We are challenging for everything. We want to win every game that we go into. We want to win as many games as possible so that we keep on getting that experience and then next season we can keep on building on what we have. It's still the early stages in the season, so we are taking it one game at a time. What makes us happy is the fight. Whatever that happens in the game, if you put everything and work hard, we are giving ourselves a chance of getting the points. We are on the right track.
TM: How did this job come about for you? Did you apply or were you approached?
LS: You know how it goes in football, once you are out of a job, everyone will know and then you get a job. It does not matter who phoned who or who applied. If you are a coach and you are without a job and there is a team that needs your support, then you will get a job.
TM: But when you are without a job as a coach, do you first look at whether the club or the project there will suit you?
LS: I am just grateful that I have a job and I am in the system. I am not working in another industry, I am still working in football, which is good for me. When you are at home (without a job), it's even better because you get to watch all the teams and then you check what they are doing. You try to keep yourself busy and attend some courses and further your studies. It's 365 (days). Life continues.
TM: How difficult was it for you during the time when you did not have a job?
LS: Remember when you are in a job, there are a lot of things you can't do. When you don't have a job, you get to do a lot of things, like taking kids to school and fetching them. You go to the mall with them, and you get to walk the dogs. You keep your mind busy so that you don't get frustrated. You don't stop, you keep on going.
TM: How would you describe your coaching career since you left Bloemfontein Celtic a few years ago? You haven't quite stayed at clubs for long periods since then…
LS: I am still going, and I am still learning. I haven't achieved anything. I have not won a league title anywhere and I have not won a cup anywhere. I still have a long way to go, but I am enjoying and learning and trying to implement some of the new trends. But so far, so good. I thank God that I am still in the football fraternity and I am doing what I love, which is important for me.
TM: But there has been a lot of movement for you in short periods of time as a coach. Does that ever concern you that you don't get to stay long at clubs and build something?
LS: You just need to focus on the job at hand. When you have a job, don't ever think of movements or what is happening. You just need to focus on the job at hand so that you can put 100 percent (focus) on the team that has given you an opportunity. One thing I have learnt is not to be bothered about external factors. I focus on where I am. I put all my energy into the job I have at that moment.
TM: Let's talk more about City. Firstly, talk to us about the squad in terms of how you've managed to get them playing well in a short space of time.
LS: This is a good team. They are a group of hard-working players and, of course, there is always room for improvement. In all the departments, we can still learn a lot more, but I am happy with the squad. I am happy with the work of the chairman (Johnny Mogaladi) in putting together the team. We as the technical team have to drive the ship under the support of the chairman. He has been supporting us very well, so I am very happy with the team we have and how we are playing.
TM: Speaking of the team that has been put together, what do you make of the addition of Ndumiso Mabena?
LS: He has been in the game for a long time, so that experience is good for us. Of course, he is not young anymore, so we try to use him in a good way so that we can have him for longer. We want him to pass his experience to the guys. That is why we brought him to be part of the team.
TM: How have the players responded to his presence in the team?
LS: They have responded well. It's still coming. He's still new to the team and he has played a few games, so the players are still going to learn from him. But progress is there. We are not in a rush. He is playing his part in the team and we are happy with that. He is giving the guys knowledge through his experience, so we are fine.
TM: Looking at the position you are in as a club at the moment, what is the target for the end of the season?
LS: We want to keep our feet on the ground so that we can collect as many points as possible. We want to make sure that, come the end of the season, we are not down there where we can be in danger.
TM: Coach, all the best!
LS: Thank you so much.
