FORMER MARITZBURG STAR HITTING THE TARGET
By Nick Said
SuperSport United striker Evans Rusike has stood out as one of the form strikers in the Absa PSL this season after netting three of his side’s four goals so far as they show a marked improvement in form. If you include his crucial strike against Orlando Pirates in the quarterfinals of the MTN8, it’s four goals in seven starts for the Zimbabwean as he looks to prove his worth after a disappointing second half of last season.
The pacey Rusike was brought in from Maritzburg United in January, but managed just a single goal in 12 starts for Matsatsantsa.
He was expected to provide ammunition up front to get the side out of the relegation mix, but never quite managed to fire.
However, this season has been a different story as he has proven a real threat with his ability to get in behind defences and the accuracy of his finishes.
The 28-year-old will have another shot at Pirates on Saturday, when SuperSport travel to the Orlando Stadium, and is likely to be the danger man again for Matsatsantsa.
Rusike says having a proper pre-season with the team under coach Kaitano Tembo has made all the difference.
“I have had a good pre-season and got to know my teammates better, which is helpful in any team. It is different when you come in during the window period and everyone is expecting results.
“It’s nice now to finally be scoring. My job is to score. If you are getting goals in every game you just thank God for that.”
Rusike has proved a good foil for English striker James Keene, who is far less mobile but presents a physical presence up front.
“You have to combine when playing with a guy like James. He works his socks off to get the defenders tired. I am just there to sneak in and finish.
“I am grateful for him because he makes things easier,” Rusike said.
The forward played for Zimbabwe Saints and Hwange before arriving at Maritzburg ahead of the 2015-16 season.
He was an instant hit and the subject of interest from a number of other PSL clubs, scoring 21 goals in 73 starts for the KwaZulu-Natal side.
It was something of a surprise when they let him leave for SuperSport at the turn of the year, but Pretoria-based club made an offer Maritzburg could not refuse with the funds gained from their transfer of Jeremy Brockie to Mamelodi Sundowns.