Cape Town City are raring to go after recharging their batteries over the Christmas break.
Coach Benni McCarthy is positive that this manne are ready to hit the ground running in their PSL campaign when they travel to SuperSport United on Saturday.
The Citizens resume their challenge in ninth place after ending 2018 with 3-2 comeback win over Bloem Celtic.
And after three league games, this season’s MTN8 winners are also targeting a push for more silverware when the Nedbank Cup kicks off against SuperSport on January 26.
It’s a prospect that excites Benni, who says: “We want to challenge for honours - in the league and the Nedbank Cup. I think that will be our focus.”
City have been fortunate enough to begin the new year with pretty much a clean slate with no new injuries and no players suspended.
It means that Benni has all his manne available and they making it tough for him to pick his first team of the year.
He says: “So far it’s worked for us. I don’t think this whole Christmas break should stop because most of the players are Christian and it’s important that after an intense first half of the season, the players get some time off football to reboot their energy.
HEADS UP: Benni McCarthy
“The league starting so early in January is a good thing, because I don’t think a two-three-week preseason is fair on the players.”
City will be looking to get new signing Kermit Erasmus into the action straight away after the player became active as the PSL transfer window officially opened on Wednesday.
It’s not yet clear whether Benni and chairman John Comitis will be doing any other business in the window, which closes at midnight of January 31.
There have been rumours linking George Lebese to a move to Hartleyvale. The attacking midfielder has lost his way since joining Mamelodi Sundowns 18 months ago from Kaizer Chiefs.