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Not so long ago, Cape Umoya United were on the bottom of the NFD table, hapless and almost a sure bet for relegation.
Things have changed since Roger De Sá relinquished the coaching post at the Cape Town-based club and entrusted his one-time assistant, Dominic Isaacs, to guide the team.
De Sá, who is part of the consortium that bought Platinum Stars last season, has stepped aside to focus on his managerial duties at Umoya.
Suddenly, there is light at the end of the tunnel for Umoya under former Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town defender Isaacs.
The 36-year-old officially took over the reins last month, inheriting a side that had suffered six straight losses and scored only once in the process.
Isaacs, however, made an instant impression when he started his tenure with a Nedbank Cup Last 32 qualification and subsequently guided the team away from the bottom of the log.
Umoya is now unbeaten in four matches in all competitions – but Isaacs warned there was no cause for celebration just yet.
“I am happy with the response, but we haven’t achieved anything,” the rookie mentor said cautiously, pointing to the next big task that awaits him today.
Umoya face high-flying Mbombela United at the KaNyamazane Stadium in Nelspruit this afternoon.
Asked what changes he has brought to Umoya in the few weeks he has been in charge, Isaacs cited discipline as one aspect that he has instilled in the team.
“It helped that I was in the club from the beginning and I am working on a foundation that was laid by coach Roger.
“I made it clear to the players that discipline was key – on and off the field – if we were to succeed. I am happy with the response so far.”
Isaacs also seems to have found a solution to Umoya’s goal-scoring problems.
The team have scored five goals in their wins over Witbank Spurs (2-1) and the University of Pretoria (3-1) in their last two league fixtures.
It was the first time this season that Umoya – the least-scoring side in the NFD with nine goals – has scored more than one goal in a match.
“Goal-scoring is also something we have been working on, and the confidence is back. I have told the guys that we need to score to win,” said Isaacs. “I reminded the players that goal difference will count at the end of the season. As it is now, we are still in the bottom because of [inferior] goal difference.”
As for his transition as a coach, Isaacs said he was learning each day.
He is the latest fresh face to guide an NFD team, joining former TS Sporting coach Benson Mhlongo and Maccabi FC’s Mokete Tsotetsi among a handful of former professional players who have been entrusted as head coaches.
“It is refreshing to see new coaches coming up the ranks andI am also grateful for the opportunity,” Isaacs said.
“Coming from being a player to a coach is a big step, but it helped to have played at the highest level,” said Isaacs, who retired three seasons ago after a spell at KwaZulu-Natal NFD side Royal Eagles.
