Riekerink credits players

JAN Olde Riekerink has credited Cape Town City’s players for the team’s rich vein of form.

Riekerink joined the Citizens late last year. In his first 13 matches in charge, he won three, drew four and lost six – a record that suggested he might follow predecessor Benni McCarthy out of the club.

However, the Citizens won their last game before the lockdown. The Cape side are the only team to win their first two league matches since the restart, defeating Chippa United and champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Riekerink says his players have pushed each other and elevated the team to a top-eight spot.

“From the moment that I started I think that we switched on. We’ve had some good results of late and the players are a big unit,” the 57-year-old coach explained.

“I think they use the qualities of each other very well. I think at this moment we have a strong team feeling. And using players the right way is the biggest strength of our team.”

City won the MTN8 title after making the finals twice in a row under McCarthy. What went wrong in his third season?

“I am not one to judge on the period that I was not here,” Riekerink said. “I know the former coach Benni. I was an assistant coach at Porto FC when he was a player and we have a good relationship. So, it’s very difficult for me to judge in that period, sometimes you can be unlucky in games.”

The Citizens face Stellenbosch FC at Tuks Stadium today (6pm kick-off). In their first match since the restart, Stellies defeated Golden Arrows to move away from the relegation zone.