Khurishi Mphahlele backs Tlisane Motaung to steer Baroka to safety

Bakgaga have been competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship for a number of years following their relegation from the South African top-flight in the 2021/22 season.

Whereas in the past Bakgaga have bounced back from their struggles, this time the club are verging on the edge of disaster, in last place on the National First Division standings.

Mphahlele's team find themselves in 15th place on the league standings with just four wins all season, from 22 games played, three points adrift of 14th placed Midlands Wanderers and just one point above bottom-side Black Leopards.

They were most recently thrashed 5-0 by league leaders Milford.

But speaking after the game, the chairman said he is backing head coach Tlisane Motaung to steer his side to safety.

"The coach, the technical team, the players, they all need to reflect. I'm giving them space to reflect. They must just save the team, Mphahlele told KickOff.

"How can you fire a coach at this moment? It would be stupid of me, he is working on our defense which only started leaking on the weekend, this is just a wake-up call to the players reminding them that they are not on cloud nine yet."

"I came from far to be here today, so I don't want to go back to the ABC Motsepe League again. We are not gonna go back there, not with these eight games remaining," he added.

"I enjoyed playing in the ABC Motsepe League the last time I was there because I was still young and energetic. I was experimenting. But now, because I have tasted the good life of professional football, I don't want to go back there.

"You will never wish to be across the river if you know what's hiding in that tall green grass. The officiating over there is bad."