Barker confident of turnaround
AFTER overcoming log leaders Cape Town All Stars with a makeshift attack, AmaZulu expect to collect more victories with a bolstered squad.
The Durban side welcome back from suspension striker Ayanda Dlamini and captain Robyn Johannes, in time for another “six-pointer” against Highlands Park in KwaMashu this weekend. With main forward Linda Bhengu still receiving treatment for an ankle injury, Usuthu coach Steve Barker welcomes the personnel boost.
“We had three games in eight days, with two in Cape Town, so there was lots of travelling. We have a small squad, and having released (striker) Darren Smith, there was an extra workload on certain players. So it’s good to have Robyn and Ayanda available,” said Barker yesterday.
He added that former under-20 international striker Bhengu was set to visit an orthopaedic surgeon to determine whether his troublesome ankle required surgery.
Registering a first win in three attempts in the Mother City when they beat All Stars last weekend was positive. That they beat the leaders while giving a debut to a 16year-old was a further shot in the arm for the coach.
“With Bhengu’s injury, Ayanda’s suspension, and Darren parting with the club we took 16-year-old Dylan Stoffels to All Stars. We started without an out-and-out striker, and when he went on he helped to change things around. We had to adapt to get the goals.”
Stoffels and goalscorer Nkanyiso Zungu are writing school exams, which means their training and playing time must be managed carefully. Nevertheless, Barker was optimistic of a turnaround following patchy form that saw them fail to record consecutive wins after playing 10 matches.
“Everyone put in a good performance and showed resilience to bounce back from defeat. It was almost a sixpointer – now we’re seven points off the log leaders. If we have ambitions of lifting the title then we must beat the teams above us,” said Barker in reference to fourth-placed Highlands, who are three points ahead of seventhplaced AmaZulu.
Former junior international striker Lucky Nguzana is still training with the club in the hope of impressing Barker and earning a second opportunity in the green jersey. He represented AmaZulu two seasons ago, but saw little game time.
The other local sides will also be in action on Saturday. Fifth-placed Royal Eagles visit Mthatha Bucks, and Thanda Royal Zulu travel to African Warriors.