TS Galaxy eyeing a Top 3 finish after an impressive run under coach Beganovic

Coach Adnan Beganovic admits that TS Galaxy’s main target this season is to finish in the Top 3 after managing to get away from the relegation quagmire.

Galaxy are enjoying their best season under Beganovic as they are third on the log with 36 points, one ahead of the fourth-placed Stellenbosch.

Their impressive run of form has them believing they can consolidate their spot especially under the newly-found belief and change of fortunes under Beganovic.

The 42-year-old coach started the season as Sead Ramovic’s assistant, but after the latter resigned, he ascended as the head coach.

His job was cut out for him as Galaxy was flirting with relegation when he took over the reins following a poor start to the season.

And so, having turned the tide to be among the chasing pack on the log, Galaxy and Beganovic have ample belief that they could play in Africa next season.

“When I signed my contract on November 14th, I said this club doesn’t deserve to be in the bottom,” Beganovic said.

“My first goal was survival, and when we achieved that, I said we need to fight for the top-eight. I saw the strength of my team.

“We have the qualities. After we got our top-eight spot and having gone 13 games unbeaten, I said we needed to change our goal and go a little bit higher.

“It’s pointless to stay in one place. I tried to push the team to reach our dreams, and our dream now is to qualify for CAF competitions next term.”

Galaxy have what it takes to achieve their target as their never-say-die attitude propelled them to come-from-behind and draw 1-1 with Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.

The Rockets were gunning for three points in Polokwane - away from home - but Beganovic said they’ll take the result as Chiefs also wasted time on the night.

“Yes, one point is better than nothing, but we prepared our team to fight for all three points,” Beganovic explained.

“When you make mistakes, the opponents will punish you. We wanted to score more goals because Kaizer Chiefs wanted to use the ball more.

“They pretended that some players were injured, and that’s not nice or beautiful. I say when someone does that it could result in the other team losing the game.

“I think we played very well. We did everything to win, so I am happy. We have been preparing our team exactly how we played for the last seven days.”

Galaxy fought a good fight. So much so that they could have potentially won the game hadn’t former Chiefs’ youth product Phuso Dithejane put his effort wide later on.

Beganovic raved about the impact of senior and former Chiefs’ captain Keagan Dolly who continues to play a huge contribution to the growth of youngsters in the team.

Beganovic said he used to analyse Dolly’s strength and weakness when he was an assistant, but it’s his off-the-pitch character that makes him stand out.

“When he arrived in January, I realised that he lacked match-fitness and needed to train. I knew in the future he could help us a lot,” Beganovic explained.

“He’s got all the football skills, but he’s also an unbelievable human-being. He’s helping all the youngsters. I am so happy to have him around.”