Cape Town City blew out the cobwebs to kick off their push to end the PSL season on a high.
Having last played in the league at the beginning of February, City were worth their points with a 2-0 win over Bloem Celtic at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.
The hosts controlled the game well once they had scored their goals, while the goals themselves were the product of some superb play.
And coach Jan Olde Riekerink is hoping that the fact that City will be forced to take off until next Friday, when they face Chippa United, won’t mess with their rhythm as they push for a top-eight finish in the PSL.
With just seven games to play, City have to keep the momentum going since the destiny of their campaign is in the balance.
BIG BELIEF: Cape Town City boss Jan Olde Riekerink. Picture: Supplied.
Only seven points off the bottom off the table, they are too close to the relegation zone for comfort.
However, they are also just four points from landing a top-eight spot.
He says: We came from a good January, but were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup and then we had time to make some different decisions.
“We are playing good, but we didn’t create a lot of chances. Now we go to the next phase and we take a couple of more risks, because I know that these players can do that.
WAITING IN THE WINGS: City striker Kermit Erasmus. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
“Then with Thabo Nodada and Mdu Mdantsane we have very dynamic players in the midfield.
“But the pressure we created was much higher, because we had to do it.
“We had to win or we’d be in the struggle for the last places.
“Our aim was to be in the Top8 and it can still happen.”
Riekerink can now see the finishing line in sight and he is hoping that he gets another couple of injury boosts.
BLOW: Thami Mkhize. Picture: BackpagePix.
Top goalscorer Kermit Erasmus was close to making the squad to play Celtic, but the coach is not taking risks.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/iamCityFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/izaMiVfyih
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC)
Skipper Thami Mkhize is still further away, but could be back in time to slot in at rightback where Craig Martin has been deputising as the versatile Abbubaker Mobara returned to action as a substitute this weekend.
City’s PSL run-in:
- March 20 v Chippa (A)
- April 4 v Stellenbosch (A)
- April 8 v Sundowns (H)
- April 13 v Pirates (H)
- April 25 v Golden Arrows (A)
- May 6 v Highlands Park (A)
- May 9 v SuperSport (H)