Cape Town City winger Chris David is keen to give his teammates a Christmas boost for their final game of 2019.
City go to Wits in the PSL on Friday night looking for their first win under new coach Jan Olde Riekerink.
David, who last started for City in August’s win over Stellenbosch, in which he scored the winner, is back from long-term injury.
In the Dutchman’s absence a lot happened. City went on a six-game winless run in the league, a slump that cost former coach Benni McCarthy his job.
MAGIC MAN: City forward Mark Mayambela. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
And with City just one point off the bottom of the PSL, David reveals watching the team struggle has been as painful as sitting on the sidelines, saying: “It wasn’t easy as a soccer player, because you always want to play.
"Sometimes you get injured, but you have to heal proper. I’m happy to be back. It’s not the position we should be in. It’s been hard to see us not winning games.”
CHANGES: Jan Olde Riekerink. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
After three games with the Dutchman Riekerink in charge, City have yet to score a goal after two draws and a defeat.
The 26-year-old left-footed flyer backs the team to come good under Riekerink, who has tightened up City’s defence, which has conceded just once in their last three games - having shipped 20 before he entered the dugout.
David adds: “We have a good group and enough quality to turn it around. We are training well with the new coach.We just have to follow the process and stick to the structure.
“We are doing well. The only thing missing is the three points.”
WORKING HARD: Cape Town City in training. Picture: Phando Jikelo/ANA.
The former Fulham, FC Twente and FC Utrecht player is looking forward to his return to Gauteng after a winning start to his City career last season.
He says of the trip to the Students: “Wits is not going to be an easy game.
“I made my debut last season against them. We were 2-0 down and won 3-2.
“They have unbelievable quality and good players.
“We’ve prepared well this week, while they played Sundowns.
“And hopefully we can get away from there with a win.”
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThursdayThrowback?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThursdayThrowbackto the last time we played The Clever Boys.
Erasmus, Ralani and a last minute Norodien Rocket secured all 3️⃣ points for the Citizens 🔥 #iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/Lr0KyxQMR9
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC)