REPLACING STEPHENS

Following Shu-Aib Walters’ departure from the club, last season’s number one Sage Stephens looked set to continue in that role at City, before Leeuwenburgh’s arrival saw him take up a place on the substitute’s bench, with coach Benni McCarthy explaining his reasoning for shunning his previous first-choice. “A guy with 14 years’ European experience can’t come here and be less than what Sage is,” McCarthy said. “We’ve got two really good goalkeepers that can push and encourage each other, so Sage has to understand this. I spoke to him, and he understands that competition is healthy, and that Peter won’t necessarily always be number one, and that he must continue working. It wasn’t easy for him to take, but he accepted it. I’m happy to have two top-class goalkeepers.” Leeuwenburgh himself insists he has a healthy relationship with his teammate. “We chat a lot and make a lot of jokes, off the pitch as well,” he says. “I don’t feel awkward or competitive with him … I actually feel kind of sorry for him that I’m playing, because he’s a good goalkeeper and such a nice guy as well who’s really been helping me. We’re competitive in a good way, trying to make each other better.”