Is it just me or is the Western Cape government in the not showing any signs of energy towards local football?
Cape Town City is about to go into the MTN8 cold with no high-profile match played when they face AmaZulu on Sunday afternoon.
Usuthu competed at the KZN Premier’s Cup this past weekend and lost in the final against Maritzburg United.
There was a lot of excitement from the KZN government as they have six teams in the top two leagues. They pledged their support with R580 000 to help each club from their province with their preparations for the new season.
It’s as if the city and province have given up on our football, the clubs and players that represent us on the national stages here at home.
Anyway, instead of complaining, let me do what’s right and tell you ouens about this exciting MTN8 season-opener for the Citizens.
They are visiting Usuthu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and will be welcomed by a familiar face in former coach Benni McCarthy.
McCarthy doesn’t hide his emotions and there is no doubt that he will be fired up for this match and will hope to stick it to his former employers.
He wasn’t happy when he had to leave his position as the coach at City and made it known, so you can expect the man from Hanover Park to add some spice to this game on the sidelines.
He has already masterminded a 5-1 victory against the Citizens at their Cape Town Stadium home ground when the two teams met in the league last season.
As the only person to win the MTN8 as both player and coach, Benni will be further motivated to deliver a trophy that has been demanded by the ambitious club ownership and provincial officials from the KZN.
It’s an achievement that will immediately raise the Bafana Bafana legend’s status to cult hero in the KZN.
He has really raised the bar since taking over at the club by qualifying the club for their first-ever Caf Champions League participation and meeting his rich owner’s standards of being considered one of the big clubs in Mzansi.
All eyes will be on another Capetonian, Tapelo Xoki, on the field, a defender from Khayelitsha who is one to watch when the national teams are announced this year.
He is yet to play more than 100 matches in the top flight, but the 26-year-old has thrived at Usuthu and has been handed the captain’s armband.
He missed his penalty in the final shootout that led to Maritzburg winning the KZN Premier’s title this past weekend, but he did convert from the spot to keep his team in the game.
The Citizens are also under the guidance of an ex-Bafana stalwart in Eric Tinkler, who was a key member of the legendary 1996 Afcon team.
The 51-year-old has been putting together his squad that has had to blood a host of new signings into the team, while also dealing with the fact that key player Thabo Nodada is wanted by Orlando Pirates.
It’s unsure if this is a deal that will happen this week or if City will be able to able to hold on to the 25-year-old midfielder who is fighting to gain full fitness after injury in pre-season.
It’s a massive chance for 22-year-old striker Khanyisa Mayo to announce himself at the elite stage, after spending years playing in lower-profile matches in the Diski Challenge and NFD level.
There’s no better stage to become an instant hit than in a knockout tournament like the MTN8.
A top performance by the youngster in this tournament could also see him add his name to the PSL end of season awards.