City ready for Highlands Park challenge

CAPE Town City are a far better team today than they were two months ago when they lost 2-0 away to Premier Soccer League rookies Highlands Park.

Expect to see the Citizens show that tomorrow when they entertain the Lions of the North in a Nedbank Cup last 16 clash at the Cape Town Stadium (8pm kick-off).

“They caught us out on a difficult day (in December), this will be the opposite,” said City coach Benni McCarthy.

“I expect it to be a tough game that will push the players physically and mentally.

“You see the stats that show Highlands Park to be a competitive lot who like to follow you everywhere you go on the pitch, so we have our work cut out for us.

“In our last league loss at AmaZulu, the boys showed their intelligence on the field. We want a repeat but we must be more clinical in front of goal.”

Highlands Park come to the Mother City in a good frame of mind following their 2-1 home win over league leaders Wits, the scorers being Peter Shalulile and Mokete Mogaila.

Both attack-minded players are highly rated by their coach Owen da Gama, who sees the pair as real threats to opposing defences.

City did keep a clean sheet for three straight games before AmaZulu found the back of goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh’s net with a thunderous free-kick.

But back on home turf at the Cape Town Stadium is where McCarthy’s troops show their true colours.

Leeuwenburgh said his side create plenty of half chances and chances to score goals, and nothing would make him happier than seeing more.

The only problem is there hasn’t been enough reward in terms of goals.