Clinton Larsen will give his new players at Bloemfontein Celtic ample time to adapt to their fresh surroundings, unlike his counterparts at clubs considered to be Premier League title challengers who expect key signings to hit the ground running.
While Geofrey Massa, one of 10 recruits by the side, is the best hope for goals away to Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 quarterfinal encounter at the Lucas Moripe Stadium tonight, the coach has pleaded for time.
"It's never easy to settle in and yes, certain players adapt quicker than others, but we are not going to put ours under pressure," Larsen said yesterday.
"We retained the core of our team from last season, so there isn't much pressure to throw the guys in and expect miracles from them. We will give them time, and I am sure that they will do the club proud during the course of the season."
Helder Pelembe, Vuyisile Wana, Lantshene Phalane and Massa are the notable signings. The Ugandan is perhaps the most talked about.
"I think everybody has seen in the last two seasons what Massa can do and we have been missing that type of player at the club. We haven't had a striker that is forceful and has a presence about him in the box and we now have that in Massa," said Larsen.
"He has been working very hard and I am sure that if we give him the right service, as a team that usually creates a lot of chances, he will do us proud.
"He has an abundance of experience and we are confident that Massa will get us some crucial goals this season." Phunya SeleSele also have the psychological edge as they visit the Brazilians. Lucas Moripe Stadium was the same venue where they ended Sundowns' title hopes by smashing them 5-0 in April. The question is: can a side that is still reeling from the departure of skipper and defender Alje Schut handle the Celtic firepower?
"You can get an adequate replacement, but you can't get Alje. We need to accept that he is gone and the coach has tried different combinations at the back," said Ramahlwe Mphahlele, who partnered Schut last season.
"We have Mario [Boysens], Thabo [Nthethe] and Wayne [Arendse], who are all good players and can do a job for the team."
Kickoff is at 7.30.
Larsen refuses to rush new boys
Clinton Larsen will give his new players at Bloemfontein Celtic ample time to adapt to their fresh surroundings, unlike his counterparts at clubs considered to be Premier League title challengers who expect key signings to hit the ground running.
While Geofrey Massa, one of 10 recruits by the side, is the best hope for goals away to Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 quarterfinal encounter at the Lucas Moripe Stadium tonight, the coach has pleaded for time.
"It's never easy to settle in and yes, certain players adapt quicker than others, but we are not going to put ours under pressure," Larsen said yesterday.
"We retained the core of our team from last season, so there isn't much pressure to throw the guys in and expect miracles from them. We will give them time, and I am sure that they will do the club proud during the course of the season."
Helder Pelembe, Vuyisile Wana, Lantshene Phalane and Massa are the notable signings. The Ugandan is perhaps the most talked about.
"I think everybody has seen in the last two seasons what Massa can do and we have been missing that type of player at the club. We haven't had a striker that is forceful and has a presence about him in the box and we now have that in Massa," said Larsen.
"He has been working very hard and I am sure that if we give him the right service, as a team that usually creates a lot of chances, he will do us proud.
"He has an abundance of experience and we are confident that Massa will get us some crucial goals this season." Phunya SeleSele also have the psychological edge as they visit the Brazilians. Lucas Moripe Stadium was the same venue where they ended Sundowns' title hopes by smashing them 5-0 in April. The question is: can a side that is still reeling from the departure of skipper and defender Alje Schut handle the Celtic firepower?
"You can get an adequate replacement, but you can't get Alje. We need to accept that he is gone and the coach has tried different combinations at the back," said Ramahlwe Mphahlele, who partnered Schut last season.
"We have Mario [Boysens], Thabo [Nthethe] and Wayne [Arendse], who are all good players and can do a job for the team."
Kickoff is at 7.30.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos