Sometimes it helps to have a goalkeeper coach as manager, especially if you are a keeper who has just made a calamitous error.
------------------------------------------------------------
Predict result and win big with Soccer6
------------------------------------------------------------
This is the case for Chippa United shot stopper Daouda Kassaly.
In his most recent outing, the Niger number one had a nightmare of a game in the 3-2 derby loss to Ajax - with the match locked at 2-2 - the stopper decided to dribble the ball past Khama Billiat in his own box.
He beat the Zimbabwean, but then dallied on the ball for too long which enabled Billiat to nip in and steal the ball before giving it to Wanderson to chip into an empty net.
Kassaly's composure was gone after that and he made several further blunders, although not conceding another goal.
But as a former goalkeeper, Abrahams had some words of comfort for his number one, and Chippa United fans can expect to see the African goal minder in between the poles against Orlando Pirates at Athlone on Wednesday evening.
"Individual mistakes, you have no control, it's like the weather, you can train day and night but you can't prepare for the goalkeeper trying to dribble the striker and losing the ball. You expect professionals to know what to do, to play those moments.
"The next time the keeper will kick the ball out. He won't be the last goalkeeper to have a goal scored like that. It's a mind thing - the guy was sitting there with an empty look in his eyes.
"You need a coach to understand that these things happen. I need to go one side with him and have a chat and tell him what a great goalkeeper he is.
"How he comes back is up to him. You can talk to him and soothe him, but he's an international and playing at the Nations Cup. If I drop him now what will that do for his confidence.
"Hopefully he'll come through, he's able to pull off world-class saves, but sometimes he has that little trigger in his head and he looks wayward. But coming from the goalkeeper fraternity I have to back him."
Post A Comment!
Be the first to post a comment on this story