THE door is open for talented young South African players to push for a contract with the star-studded Manchester City team, coach Manuel Pellegrini said at the team's arrival press conference in Durban yesterday.

City arrived in the country for their Nelson Mandela Day clashes against SuperSport United at Loftus on Sunday and against AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday.

But unlike the years when fellow English giants Tottenham Hotspur were here and took with them Mbulelo Mabizela and later Bongani Khumalo, there doesn't appear to be many local players putting their hands up to join a top European club like City.

It could be that Chilean Pellegrini, who recently replaced Roberto Mancini as Manchester City boss, was being polite but he has dared Matsatsantsa and Usuthu players to show him what they are made of.

"The doors are always open for good, young South African, European and South American players," Pellegrini said.

City have already signed midfielders Jesus Navas from Sevilla and Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk.

SuperSport United director of football Stan Matthews said: "Our players want to show what they can do and they know that if they have a good game they can put themselves on the map."