Kwanda gearing up to fill Robyn’s boots

Cape Town City are fully prepared for the imminent loss of skipper Robyn Johannes. The central defender penned a pre-contract agreement with Wits a few months ago and will link up with his new club for pre-season training in July.

While his absence will be a major disappointment, City believe they already have a replacement ready to go for next season: Kwanda Mngonyama.

The Cape side hosts Mozambique’s Costa do Sol in a CAF Confederations Cup first round, second leg tie at the Athlone Stadium tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 4pm) – and Mngonyama is likely to play a critical role in central defence as the Citizens look to march on in this African competition. City won the first leg 1-0.

City coach Benni McCarthy has been vocal about not standing in Johannes’ way. The experienced defender has been hugely influential in the new PSL club’s success over the last 18 months, but he’s 31 years old and, usually, at that age, footballers start thinking about securing their financial futures.

The Wits offer was obviously quite lucrative, and one that Johannes couldn’t refuse. So, in looking for a player to step into the captain’s boots, City signed the talented Mngonyama from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Since his arrival in January, Mngonyama has been brought along slowly by McCarthy, with the intention of allowing the defender time and space to adapt to his new surroundings.

The 24- year- old has always highly touted, but he struggled to break into the Sundowns team and has had loan spells at Wits and Maritzburg United. Now, though, with City and McCarthy having offered the player an opportunity to settle at a club where he can plan his career with no pressure, Mngonyama can perhaps finally do justice to his immense talent.

“It has been a breath of fresh air coming to City,” said Mngonyama. “This is an ambitious team with very good players. They’ve welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I belong here. I am looking forward to many more seasons with Cape Town City. I’m very happy to be playing again.”

City eliminated Orlando Pirates from the Nedbank Cup last Wednesday, with Johannes and Taariq Fielies holding the fort in central defence. McCarthy has always used the CAF competition to rotate his players, as it allows him the opportunity to keep everybody in his squad fresh and motivated.

As such, because of the rotation policy, the two central defenders against Costa do Sol are likely to be Mngonyama and Tshepo Gumede – and the fact that these two top-class players are able to step in is a tes- tament to City’s depth at the back.

Mngonyama was in the squad that travelled to Mozambique for the first leg, which means he has first-hand knowledge of what to expect in the second leg on Sunday.

“It’s certainly not going to be an easy game because they are a good team,” said the central defender. “So we have to work hard again, like we did in the first leg. Their wingers are quick and they know what to do with the ball when they in possession. We will have to put in a big performance to see this tie out.”

The warning has been posted: City are fully aware that they cannot expect things to go smoothly on Sunday.

The Cape side may have a onegoal advantage, but the opposition will be highly motivated. If Mngonyama and his teammates want to keep alive their African adventure, then they will have to be at the best.