Former Bafana Bafana and Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Thulani Serero has returned to the Mother City after a decade playing abroad.
Image: Cape Town City
The ambitious Cape Town City FC boss, John Comitis, must be pulling his hair out after the team's fourth successive Premiership defeat, but relief may be in sight.
Comitis spearheaded a prolific recruitment drive in the pre-season, but his team has slumped to a lowly 10th place in the Betway Premiership, with only six wins and 11 defeats after 20 games. However, interim coach Mushin Ertugral believes the team could turn its fortunes around when their newest signing, Thulani Serero, starts playing.
The club is racing against the clock to ensure his registration is completed in time for him to play on Wednesday evening when City hosts the ever-improving TS Galaxy at Athlone Stadium.
Serero, it seems, has everything that Ertugral is looking for, judging by his post-match comments about the shortcomings in City's squad. Serero has excellent ball control and spatial awareness, making him press-resistant. He possesses a great passing range and has an eye for intercepting, which proves destructive when the opposition closes in on the penalty area.
Ertugral would like nothing more than to have Serero in the lineup on Wednesday.
"I spoke to Emirates and my former club, Benghazi, and got positive feedback about him. He also trained with us, so he's available for selection. We had him for a couple of training sessions," said Ertuğral.
"The problem for us is in the middle—holding onto the ball. There were key moments against AmaZulu when you saw Thabo (Nodada) and (Fortune) Makaringe coming on; we had the game under control without really putting pressure on.
"These are the elements that we need to work on. When we get on the ball, we rush in the middle. With experienced players like Serero, who has played at the highest level—something not many South African players have achieved—I think it gives us more stability in offensive processes.
"It puts a lot of pressure on us when we win the ball back from a defensive play. You need to recognize that moment when you've regained possession. That is when we need to transition to the middle or second phase, and that's where we keep losing the ball, allowing the pressure to mount."
Ertugral will become City's technical advisor at the end of the season, and a new coach will take over the reins. He has yet to name the coach, but it is expected to be Andries Ulderink.
"I think we have already chosen the coach, and he has seen the team in action," said Ertuğral.
"Obviously, in April, when the team is in a more secure position and we can relax a bit, we will start planning for the new season. That will be the time to analyze the squad and work with the players.
"The main objective is to give the new coach the time he needs because he also has his vision."
Former Ajax Cape Town coach Ulderink was spotted at a recent City game. He is familiar with local football, having coached Ajax Cape Town (now Cape Town Spurs) from late 2018 until January 2020.
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