Despite their Nedbank Cup final loss to Free State Stars, Maritzburg United bosses have handed coach Fadlu Davids an improved contract.
The Team of Choice succumbed to a 1-0 loss against Ea Lla Koto at the iconic Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night.
However, as they look for continuity going into the 2018/19 Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign, chairman Farook Kadodia has been quick to tie down their coach.
The chairman announced that the 36-year-old coach has signed a contract extension for a further two years, dispelling talks that he is on his way out of the club.
Rumours are doing the rounds that SuperSport United are interested in snapping Davids up as they are searching for Eric Tinkler’s successor.
Speaking about the final, United dominated the proceedings, but were unfortunate to miss out on the R7 million in prize money and a trophy and Kadodia said the best team lost.
Moreover, their failure to win means they will not play in the Caf Confederation Cup next season.
“No, no (He is not leaving). Fadlu has signed a new contract for us for a further two years. This happened last week,” Kadodia said to IOL.
“The better team lost. The guys played well. We didn’t take our chances in the small box in the first half. We played good football,” Kadodia emphasised.
“Cup football like I said, you have to have a nose of steel. We made one mistake and we were punished. It is sad, it is cruel, but it is football,” he continued.
“Goals win matches. We had plenty of chances. I can’t say more than that,” said the chairman.
Furthermore, Davids guided United to a semi-final finish in last season’s MTN8 tournament as they lost to eventual champions, SuperSport United.
For next season, the side from the KwaZulu-Natal midlands will meet Cape Town City in the quarter-finals, but Kadodia says there is no pressure on his team.
“We will have a break, and I’m sure the players will come back fighting. We are in the MTN8,” he added.
“We are not breaking the team. The team is staying intact. We look forward to better things,” Kadodia stated.
“We are not going to put pressure on the boys to win the MTN8. We need to enjoy what they’ve been doing today. They played well, but couldn’t convert the chances,” he concluded.
