Cape Town City forward Siphelele Mthembu says he finds it better to work under pressure than in a comfortable environment, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
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The 30-year-old is one of five players to have signed for the Citizens during the off-season, which also includes the likes of Riyaad Norodien, Gift Links, Kouassi Kouadja and Dutch goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh.
Mthembu managed to score five goals from 28 appearances in all competitions for Free State Stars last season while helping them lift their maiden Nedbank Cup trophy.
The KZN-born forward says he has received great support from his teammates since his arrival at the club and would like to repay them by scoring goals.
‘I’m here to work,’ Mthembu said. ‘It’s been good so far. My teammates have been very supportive, and I’ve felt at home. The one thing on my mind is to come in and score goals. I have to work hard, though – I have to earn it, and score goals for the team.’
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The former Kaizer Chiefs forward says he enjoys working under coach Benni McCarthy while insisting that he wants to create a legacy for the next generation at the club.
‘The coach is very supportive – he was a striker before so he knows the challenges we face, so it’s just about breaking the ice,’ he added. ‘But the team is the most important thing: if we create the legacy for the next generation to come and do better, we have to start now by working hard and scoring goals.’
With City struggling to find the net last season and Ayanda Patosi finishing as their top goal-scorer with four goals, Mthembu added that he does not feel any added pressure to solve the Citizens’ goal-scoring woes.
‘It’s better to work under pressure than being in a comfortable environment,’ he said, before hinting at his target for the season. ‘The net never gets full, so I want to score as much as I can. I’m really hungry to score.’
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Mthembu will be hoping to make his debut on Saturday when Cape Town City host SuperSport United at Cape Town Stadium with kick-off set for 6pm.