On How Pre-season Has Been Going
Our pre-season was great, but obviously we had a short turnaround time because we only had two weeks off since the last promotion play-offs game against Maritzburg United, which I felt was good anyway because our players didn't lose a lot of fitness. We didn't have much or a long time to prepare for the new season, we only had four weeks. So, the first two weeks was about just getting the players to a level that we needed them to be. We played friendly games and the practice matches have been good. We played against Cape Town City and Stellenbosch FC a couple of times, we also played a few friendly matches against UWC and Hout Bay and City Kings FC, so we have had a lot of games and minutes under the belt, which is important, and it's been going really well. It's always about progress, how we improve day by day, week by week in order to be in the right shape and the right frame of mind come the first match of the season on the 6th of August against TS Galaxy. The fact we didn't have a lot of time to rest due to the promotional play-offs, I think it's actually a good thing because players don't want to be off for too long. If we have a four- to six-week break, then after the second week they want to start doing something. So, players already, after 10 days they want to come back and train. For me, it's a good sign. I think in that respect, it's great in the sense where you don't drag out the whole pre-season, you know, make it, like, really heavy and physical. We've been managing our players like we did last season, the only obvious negative I would say was the fact that we didn't have enough time to get players in, you know, either on trial or even signings and stuff like that. That is also why we also kept the core of this squad, about more than 75 percent of last season, and just added in some of the positions more value, obviously quality as well in order for us to compete at this level.
On The New Signings
We've been looking for a while now to have a natural left-footed winger. Chumani Butsaka can play both left and right wings, but when it comes to natural left-footed, Shaquille Abrahams is the one that has impressed in pre-season. In the matches and training, his attitude and obviously what he's been showing us, that's the fact that we wanted to sign him on. And then Keagan Buchanan with his experience will come in handy in the DStv Premiership. We have two or three guys in that position, like Morne Nel and Michael Morton. I think even Jarrod Moroole adds a lot of quality as well. I think these guys add a lot of quality already, but I think Keagan will also add quality. You need sometimes that competition as well in different positions and (to) keep everybody on their toes, and Keagan has got that quality for us. The other guys also, you've got two young strikers in Dylan Stoffels and Riyaaz Nell that we've added. I think they are unknown to the DStv Premiership, but it can also be a good thing because they've got a platform now to show what they are all about, and if they do well, then obviously it will be good for us and for potential clubs that want to sign them.
On Whether More Additions Will Be Made
The biggest area that needs reinforcement is probably a goalkeeper. Like I've said with the competition, I think it's good. At the moment, we need another goalkeeper to add on, we're looking at one or two guys that are currently on trial and if they do impress and show the qualities that we need, then we will maybe sign them. But otherwise that's still the position that's outstanding. Our opening match of the season is away against TS Galaxy and our first home game is against Sekhukhune United. Yeah, obviously Galaxy, everybody might think it's personal because I left the club a couple of years ago to pursue being a head coach somewhere else. There are a lot of former clubs in the DStv Premiership that I will play against and, for me, it's not an issue. It's about preparing the squad and the team that is going to play the right way in order for us to go there and get a result, and I'm very confident our players can go there and get a positive result if we do the right things that benefit the team. So, I'm quite happy about that. We are looking forward to the game and obviously it's going to be a tough one because TS Galaxy, Sekhukhune United, Polokwane City, Chippa United and Swallows FC – that's the first five games we are looking at. I've always, as a coach, set a minimum target and out of 15, a minimum target for us is 10 points.
On Coaching A Team He Played For
Coaching Cape Town Spurs in the DStv Premiership means a lot because this is where I started playing professional football and that was part of the reason why I decided to come back. I had offers and opportunities to go somewhere else. So, when Cape Town Spurs called, I discussed it with my wife like I normally do and it was a very emotional decision because this is the team I played for and I wanted to make sure that I could add more value in achieving the goal of getting them back to the PSL. I have a lot of memories as a player here. Winning the league and the Bob Save Super Bowl in 1995 was the last time the Cape Town Spurs brand was successful in the topflight. That was the year when many people thought it was not going to happen. Pipping Orlando Pirates to the title, I think that, for us, was a great achievement. But now it's about reigniting this brand again and we have to do well from the first game and make sure that we put our marker down and show the qualities and type of football that people want to see, with obviously the results, which is important. Our supporters have always been a massive part of this club from my days as a player, they are the driving force behind this team. Even last season, when the chips were down, they were always inspiring, motivating players and hopefully this season as well, they will come out and support us at Athlone Stadium. Cape Town Spurs and Athlone Stadium is synonymous with Cape Town football. We've been begging, trying and praying to have a third Cape Town team in the DStv Premiership and now we have it, people must come out and support the team, especially in home games.
