The expectations for City are very high because they have managed to bring home two trophies in the three years they’ve existed.
Their foundation was a rushed job because they had to be relocated to the Mother City from their former base as Mpumalanga Black Aces.
They had to make big decisions on player contracts from the previous team and also set up in the Cape plus create their new identity.
You wouldn’t have noticed it was a rushed job at all though, probably because owner John Comitis has a sharp football brain.
Since then, key players such as former captain Lebogang Manyana and Aubrey Ngoma has since left the club, while Ayanda Patosi is away on loan.
SHARP BRAIN: CT City chairman John Comitis. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
Defender Robyn Johannes, who also later became a team captain, leaving veteran Teko Modise who has since retired.
These players didn’t all leave at the same time, but they were replaced with players at their level.
For example, Johannes was the experienced calm head at centreback next to a very raw Taariq Fielies.
FORMER CAPTAIN: Robyn Johannes was part of Cape Town City before heading to Wits. Picture: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix.
After Johannes left at end of last season, Fielies has not had a steady partner next to him.
Ivorian defender Kouassi Koudjia has been out with injury, so we haven’t really seen that partnership tested properly, while Edmilson Dove has been used as a plug but he’s a leftback so you can’t expect him to fill the void well.
Meanwhile, young prospect Keith Groeneveld, who was brought in from Belgium hasn’t quite stepped up as yet.
YOUNG: Keanu Cupdio has a long way to go. Picture: BackpagePix.
Keanu Cupido got the opportunities to prove himself, but the youngster’s naivety has had the better of him at times.
Also, Cupido hasn’t been playing next to Fielies, so it hasn’t been easy for him to settle down.
They haven’t had regular goalscorers since Manyama and Ngoma left.
You see, Manyama and Ngoma were lucky breaks for the Citizens.
They were two players who happened to take their chance to rebuild their careers, which had become stagnant.
FINISHER: Kermit Erasmus has to date been Cape Town City's star player. Picture: Phando Jikelo/ANA.
Striker Kermit Erasmus was brought in with the hope that the chance to work with former teammate Benni McCarthy would have the same effect it had that it did on Manyama and Ngoma.
Modise’s retirement also meant that the team don’t have a veteran to count on as a role player. You see, Modise is not only a talented player but he’s also a character and an open person off the field too.
So bringing in an introvert like Mpho Makola will not have the same effect on the squad when Modise was there playing.
What Makola brings though it probably the same type of ball playing talent to the team, but we have also yet to see him on the pitch with Thabo Nodada and Roland Putsche.
So now I guess the dust has somewhat settled and the challenges are clear for all to see, it may be time for City to take stock and start playing the long game instead of just bringing in plugs that they hope have something to prove.