Clever Boys plan a slaughter in Dobsonville

Wits have turned Bidvest Stadium into some form of slaughterhouse where all of Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town were put to the sword.

Johannesburg - Training at Dobsonville Stadium leading up to Tuesday night’s Absa Premiership clash against Chippa United felt slightly awkward for Bidvest Wits midfielder Thabang Monare.

“It didn’t feel like home the first time we came here for our training sessions,” Monare said. “But what can you do. We have to make the best out of the situation and fight for another result.”

Monare’s discomfort is understandable given that Wits have turned Bidvest Stadium into some form of slaughterhouse where all of Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town were put to the sword. But now, due to this ongoing Fees Must Fall strike at Wits University, the club’s management were forced to find an alternative venue to play their home games until things cool down.

And while he would rather they were welcoming the Chilli Boys to their compact fortress in Braamfontein, the 27-year old midfielder is quite confident that his side will produce another good win in the heart of Soweto.

“We know what Chippa are all about. They are very quick on the ball and can punish you if you give them space, especially in midfield. But we are going to fight to get this result.”

Fighting is what Monare has been doing since the day he decided to pursue football as a career. His parents did not oppose that decision, even though they watched their 22-year-old son being dropped by a club (the University of Pretoria) they had hoped would be his ticket to plying his trade in the PSL. AmaTuks were promoted into the elite league in 2012, while the industrious midfielder was released by the Tshwane outfit a year before to go a find another team to play for. He joined NFD side FCAK, where spent almost two and a half seasons unpaid.

Monare felt like quitting.

“It was really tough there,” Monare said. “I didn’t get paid in all the three years or so I was with them. Apparently the team didn’t have enough money to pay us. I felt like quitting at times. There were times where I asked myself: Why was I here?’ and Is it all worth it?’ But somehow I knew that things were going to get better.”

And they did. The gifted midfielder was scouted by Jomo Sono, who was impressed with how the player controlled the midfield with such ease. Sono brought the player to his club, where he developed him into a player that he is today, a key member of the Clever Boys.

@Mohau_Ra

@extrastrongsa

The Star