City’s Major-o mission … goals
IF CAPE Town City are to overturn a three-goal deficit and secure a place in the MTN8 final, they are going to need goals – lots of them – and the player they’ll be banking on is Lehlohonolo Majoro.
City take on Wits in the second leg of the semi-finals of the Cup competition at the Cape Town Stadium today (kick-off 8.15pm). The Capetonians have a really tough task after losing the first leg 3-0.
This was then also compounded by the fact that they again failed to score in a 2-0 league defeat to Golden Arrows in Durban on Wednesday.
The newly-established Cape club, after a great start to their campaign in the PSL, have been decidedly short of goals of late. It’s a major problem for coach Eric Tinkler, but he’s hoping the freedom they’ll be able to play with tonight will allow the players to express themselves – and, in that way, hopefully the goals will come.
“The team showed great character in the defeat to Arrows in the week,” said Tinkler. “The scoreline wasn’t a fair reflection of the game and I was happy with the improvement the players showed after the defeat to Wits last week.
“As for the second leg, we’ll have to go at them, there’s not much else to do. What will help is that we score an early goal… It’ll create confidence and we can build from there.”
Tinkler will be hoping that Majoro, particularly, finds his scoring form. The 30-year-old former Bafana Bafana ace has played for both Soweto giants – Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates – which is an indication of his undoubted pedigree.
But he never saw too much game time at Pirates last season, hence his move to the Mother City.
Majoro remains a prized player in the PSL. He admits he’s had more enticing offers, but says he decided to take up the challenge at City, to test himself when he is out of his “comfort zone”.
Majoro has been a regular in City’s four games to date – two in the league and two in the Cup (for two wins and two defeats) – but, while he has shown glimpses of his real potential, he is still working his way to top form. And, importantly, for a footballer famed for his scoring prowess, he still hasn’t got on the scoresheet.
But City aren’t too concerned – they know that it’s just a matter of time before Majoro comes good.
“Majoro is getting fitter and sharper with every game,” said City assistant-coach Ian Taylor. “You’ve got to remember he hasn’t played regularly for quite a while, so he needs time to adjust, and space and opportunity to get back to what we know he is capable of. As for us, as coaches, the challenge is also to find the right combinations to play alongside him, to bring the best out of him.”
As for Majoro, he’s just loving his time in the Mother City. It’s a fresh challenge, and it’s certainly something he’s looking forward to. Even the three-goal deficit in tonight’s fixture doesn’t bother him that much – he believes they have the players to give it a go.
“It has been a great experience in Cape Town,” said Majoro. “I’ve been welcomed nicely ever since arriving here.
“We started well in the league and in the Cup too. That is why we are in the semifinals. It’s still a work in progress, but so far, so good. I guess nobody gave us a chance, but look where we are, in the semifinals.
“Yes, we are 3-0 down after the first leg, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be changed. We have to believe we can do it.”
Majoro, of course, would be what is termed City’s “Hollywood signing”, the marquee player, someone well-known and popular in the PSL.
Majoro also knows that, when the referee blows the whistle to kick off tonight’s semi-final, second leg, it will be all about goals.
Nothing else matters…