29 July 2019, by: Grant de Smidt

CAPE TOWN CITY FC PSL 2019/2020 PREVIEW

*Realistic options to play regularly – excludes fringe players

*Accurate up to 29 July

*Taariq Fielies excluded due to a three/four month injury

*Mpho Makola was not a City player at the time of writing

 

Benni McCarthy’s side have had a quiet transfer window, bringing in just three players in Abbubaker Mobara, Tashreeq Morris and Dutch winger Berno Verhagen. The first two mentioned are versatile and can cover a few roles, meaning the club can stick with a small squad and wage bill. The only notable departure is Teko Modise, who has retired, meaning a loss of passing ability in midfield.

Having played attacking football in his first season as a head coach, McCarthy still adapted for big games and added extra steel to his midfield. However, last season (his second in charge) he played extremely open, attractive football in almost every game, leading to plenty of goals scored and many conceded.

The arrival of Peter Leeuwenburgh in goal saw the side’s build-up play improve several notches, whilst Thato Mokeke arrived in January to give greater composure in midfield. In attack, having initially used a battering ram (Siphelelele Mthembu or Matthew Rusike) to good effect, that changed in January when Kermit Erasmus arrived.

The key tactical question is the role of the former Feyenoord and Rennes forward. If he is used as a false nine, then the energy of Thabo Nodada and the height of Zukile Kewuti are both ideal in midfield to arrive late in the box when Erasmus vacates the centre. If Mthembu is used as a target man, then Erasmus can play as a number ten, with two disciplined holding midfielders behind him. That selection question goes a long way to dictating how the team will play in attack.

This season, both McCarthy and City owner, John Comitis are targeting the league title, but a long-term injury to Taariq Fielies has come as a major blow in a defence which now looks short of experience and depth. With other injuries to deal with at the back, and former Belgian youth international, Keith Groeneveld not considered ready yet (and mostly used as a defensive midfielder in preseason), it will likely be Mobara as the first- choice centre back.

His breakout season at Ajax Cape Town came in that position and he will give incredible pace and ball-playing ability. Alongside him could be Keanu Cupido – excellent on the ground but vulnerable in the air – whilst Edmilson Dove (described by McCarthy as his “Sergio Ramos”) and rookie Raphael Georgiades are the other options centrally.

In midfield, both Nodada and Roland Putsche are expected to miss the start of the season as they recover from long- term injuries. So, McCarthy will need to be imaginative tactically and perhaps use versatile players like Mokeke or Craig Martin in a variety of roles and in different formations, including potentially playing 3-5-2.

City will again be great to watch. They have several exciting wingers, pace and power up front and quality in midfield. At the back, they have excellent ball-players to implement a build-up style. However, injuries threaten to massively disrupt their season and if a wide-open style is used like last season, then goals galore could be leaked.

Aside from getting their best players fit, City could do with finding a happy medium in terms of tactical balance. Playing very attacking football and leaving their defence exposed in every game is not likely to lead to a genuine title challenge.

Therefore McCarthy may need to stiffen up midfield from time-to-time and choose between Erasmus and Mthembu upfront, using a 60-30 spread of minutes between his two main forwards depending on the situation.

The coach is still targeting a new central defender (with Robyn Johannes and Justice Chabalala rumoured targets). Former Pirates man Mpho Makola is close to joining the club on a free transfer to replace Teko Modise as another option in central midfield.

Baroka FC vs Cape Town City FC (Saturday 3 August – 15:00)

BET NOW

MORE SOCCER