Da Gama recruits Bevan Fransman
STRONG SPINE: SENIOR PLAYER IN EVERY POSITION – COACH
But there are rookies with potential who could join Highlands Park’s first team.
Michaelson Gumede
Highlands Park coach Owen da Gama admits that in order for his newly promoted side to thrive in the Absa Premiership, he will need to have a couple of players with top-flight experience in his squad.
The Lions of the North will make their comeback in the elite division after a one-season stay in the National First Division (NFD).
Da Gama has so far recruited seasoned defender Bevan Fransman, who will be expected to lead his defence this coming season.
“If you look at it, Mothobi Mvala played in the Olympics with me and he has played against Neymar. He has played in the Premiership. Tapuwa Kapini has played for more than 10 years in the Premiership. Fransman, who we just brought in, has been playing consistently,” he told Phakaaathi.
“If you look at Fransman’s age and you compare him to other defenders his age, he has played more and is remarkable, that’s why we brought him in. We still have (striker) Moeketsi Sekola. We have a strong spine. In every position there is one senior player and that is going to help us. We are very happy that we have role models like Kapini and Mvala, who continuously encourage the youngsters, and that has been one of the reason why we have had success,” Da Gama added.
The 56-year-old is renowned for his belief in young players, which was evident in his NFD-winning campaign last season. He has so far spotted some rookies with potential who could join his senior team, while some will make up Highlands’ Multichoice Diski Challenge (MDC) squad.
“We have an exciting 17-yearold who I don’t want to see go to the MDC team, I want him to come straight to the first team because we are very excited about him. I believe in youth, so some of the players will go to the MDC and maybe two of them will definitely go straight to the first team,” said Da Gama.
He continued: “Most important is to integrate them into the team as soon as possible and let them get the feel. As I say, we never have a guarantee in anything, it is all about capacity and learning quickly which we believe they can.”
We have an exciting 17-yar-old I want to come straight to the first team.