DEFENCES in South Africa have tightened up, Bidvest Wits' new striker Chris Katongo has said in defence of PSL strikers.
Kaizer Chiefs' Bernard Parker was last season's Absa Premiership top scorer with a paltry 10 goals.
"I see players are improving every day in the PSL," said the Zambia captain, back from six years playing in Denmark, Germany and China.
"You can see how it's difficult for the strikers to get goals. It's important for strikers to improve ourselves so we can also move forward.
"Defenders are developing and learning - it's modern football and it's changing. So you can't start laughing at your own strikers."
Katongo failed to score for Lamontville Golden Arrows upon his return last season, but the PSL's top striker for Jomo Cosmos in the 2006-07 season with 15 goals believes he still has the ability to bang them in this campaign for Wits.
"I'm 32 in August. I still have energy, can run and do the basics," he said.
Katongo turned down an offer from Orlando Pirates to join them.
"This is perfect to join a team like this (Wits)," he said. "Because I need to play. I don't need politics in football."
Wits coach Gavin Hunt believes the professionally minded Katongo will gel with Wits.
"Chris is experienced and doesn't take long to fit in, and into a different mentality. He's got the right mentality for us, and hopefully can score goals," Hunt said.
Hunt expects to make eight changes from last season's 3-1 Nedbank Cup final defeat to Orlando Pirates when the Students kick off their season in Friday night's MTN8 quarter-final against Bloemfontein Celtic at Milpark Stadium.
"Celtic beat us last week in that Charity Cup [1-0], so they're a good outfit, well-organised and [have a good] coach," he said.
Katongo defends local strikers
DEFENCES in South Africa have tightened up, Bidvest Wits' new striker Chris Katongo has said in defence of PSL strikers.
Kaizer Chiefs' Bernard Parker was last season's Absa Premiership top scorer with a paltry 10 goals.
"I see players are improving every day in the PSL," said the Zambia captain, back from six years playing in Denmark, Germany and China.
"You can see how it's difficult for the strikers to get goals. It's important for strikers to improve ourselves so we can also move forward.
"Defenders are developing and learning - it's modern football and it's changing. So you can't start laughing at your own strikers."
Katongo failed to score for Lamontville Golden Arrows upon his return last season, but the PSL's top striker for Jomo Cosmos in the 2006-07 season with 15 goals believes he still has the ability to bang them in this campaign for Wits.
"I'm 32 in August. I still have energy, can run and do the basics," he said.
Katongo turned down an offer from Orlando Pirates to join them.
"This is perfect to join a team like this (Wits)," he said. "Because I need to play. I don't need politics in football."
Wits coach Gavin Hunt believes the professionally minded Katongo will gel with Wits.
"Chris is experienced and doesn't take long to fit in, and into a different mentality. He's got the right mentality for us, and hopefully can score goals," Hunt said.
Hunt expects to make eight changes from last season's 3-1 Nedbank Cup final defeat to Orlando Pirates when the Students kick off their season in Friday night's MTN8 quarter-final against Bloemfontein Celtic at Milpark Stadium.
"Celtic beat us last week in that Charity Cup [1-0], so they're a good outfit, well-organised and [have a good] coach," he said.
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