Cape Town bulk up keeper stock
ZIM GOALIE COMPETITION FOR WALTERS Tinkler’s men show their intent with emphatic 3-0 win against Igesund’s woeful Highlands.
Cape Town City confirmed yesterday that they have signed Zimbabwean international goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva. The 20-year-old played in all three of the Warriors’ matches at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, and joins the Citizens after opting not to sign a new contract with Zimbabwean side Dynamos.
Mukuruva was unveiled at a press conference in Cape Town along with Mozambican international defender Edmilson Dove and South African midfielder Siyabonga Subula. The Warriors keeper should provide competition to City’s existing No 1 Shuaib Walters.
Dove already played most of their match on Tuesday as City opened their 2017 with an impressive 3-0 victory at home to Highlands Park. Former Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates forward Letsie Koapeng marked his City debut with a goal, while Lebogang Manyama netted his 10th goal of the season in all competitions and Judas Moseamedi also got on the scoresheet.
“It’s always going to be important that first win,” City coach Eric Tinkler said after the game, according to sport24.co.za.
“I explained to the players that we let ourselves down at the end of the first half of the season because we found ourselves on 24 points after 12 games. After that we threw away points against Platinum Stars and Free State Stars and we could have reached that 30-point mark before the recess. “That has always been target number one, for me, and I explained to them that that hasn’t changed, we still haven’t reached that target and our points-togame ratio has dropped, we’re five below. So it means we’ve got to win five in a row in order to get back to our two points a game ratio, so I explained that to the team and that’s what our focus needs to be now.”
Ayo Oluwafemi and Siyabonga Nhlapo made their debuts at the back for the Lions of the North after signing in the January transfer window. But Gordon Igesund’s side’s defensive woes continue – they have now conceded 32 goals in 16 games in the Absa Premiership this season.