Bidvest Wits’ new signings paraded in their 2-1 Premier Soccer League season-opening victory against Kaizer Chiefs were fantastic‚ said Clever Boys coach Gavin Hunt.
Gabadinho Mhango and Eleazar Rodgers at striker and surprise choices Xolani Mlambo and Thabang Monare in midfield gave Wits a new‚ improved look‚ and Chiefs a torrid time.
Amakhosi could barely deal with Mhango‚ especially‚ who often beat defenders and carved paths toward goal‚ though could not score.
Hunt has professed himself a big fan of the mercurial‚ quick and physical Malawian striker‚ and was not disappointed by Mhango’s debut.
“Gabadinho I’ve liked since the first time I saw him at Bloemfontein Celtic. Because he’s my kind of player‚” Hunt said.
“He was playing in the wrong position tonight ‚ but that was what we had to do. But I mean he’s fantastic.
“There was just no end product tonight but when I’ve seen him at training there is a lot of end product to him. So there is a lot to come from him.”
Mhango (23) was signed on a pre-contract from Celtic in January‚ prompting the Free State club to loan the striker to Lamontville Golden Arrows for the second half of last season.
Dependable‚ cantering‚ 31-year-old centre-forward Rodgers was one of Wits’ first two signings (both on free transfer) of the off-season from Platinum Stars‚ along with left-back Pentjie Zulu from Jomo Cosmos.
It was another addition from Cosmos‚ Monare‚ alongside Mlambo (from Chippa United)‚ who impressed winning the midfield battle against Chiefs as surprise starters in the engine room ahead of established Wits stalwarts Phumlani Ntshangase and Ben Motshwari.
“For me‚ that boy‚ Xola‚ he’s fantastic. We’ve done good business there‚” Hunt said.
“As for Monare – if there is one thing Jomo Sono can do it’s sign players. He knows players. And these two players I’ve got from Cosmos are really good players.
“Plus we’ve got the Ntshangases‚ and all those guys who played for us last year‚ not in the team.
“It’s good competition for us now. Last year we never had anything.
“This season I’m taking off Rodgers and putting on Cuthbert Malajila.”
Forwards Malajila and Mogakolodi Ngele‚ signed as part of a swap deal with Mamelodi Sundowns for Sibusiso Vilakazi‚ played a bit-role in Wits’ win on Tuesday.
Malajila replaced Rodgers in the 86th minute‚ and Ngele remained on the bench.
Hunt said he expects his two strikers with long-term injuries‚ James Keene and Phakamani Mahlambi‚ back in December. — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
Excited Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt gushes over his new signings
Gabadinho Mhango and Eleazar Rodgers at striker and surprise choices Xolani Mlambo and Thabang Monare in midfield gave Wits a new‚ improved look‚ and Chiefs a torrid time.
Amakhosi could barely deal with Mhango‚ especially‚ who often beat defenders and carved paths toward goal‚ though could not score.
Hunt has professed himself a big fan of the mercurial‚ quick and physical Malawian striker‚ and was not disappointed by Mhango’s debut.
“Gabadinho I’ve liked since the first time I saw him at Bloemfontein Celtic. Because he’s my kind of player‚” Hunt said.
“He was playing in the wrong position tonight ‚ but that was what we had to do. But I mean he’s fantastic.
“There was just no end product tonight but when I’ve seen him at training there is a lot of end product to him. So there is a lot to come from him.”
Mhango (23) was signed on a pre-contract from Celtic in January‚ prompting the Free State club to loan the striker to Lamontville Golden Arrows for the second half of last season.
Dependable‚ cantering‚ 31-year-old centre-forward Rodgers was one of Wits’ first two signings (both on free transfer) of the off-season from Platinum Stars‚ along with left-back Pentjie Zulu from Jomo Cosmos.
It was another addition from Cosmos‚ Monare‚ alongside Mlambo (from Chippa United)‚ who impressed winning the midfield battle against Chiefs as surprise starters in the engine room ahead of established Wits stalwarts Phumlani Ntshangase and Ben Motshwari.
“For me‚ that boy‚ Xola‚ he’s fantastic. We’ve done good business there‚” Hunt said.
“As for Monare – if there is one thing Jomo Sono can do it’s sign players. He knows players. And these two players I’ve got from Cosmos are really good players.
“Plus we’ve got the Ntshangases‚ and all those guys who played for us last year‚ not in the team.
“It’s good competition for us now. Last year we never had anything.
“This season I’m taking off Rodgers and putting on Cuthbert Malajila.”
Forwards Malajila and Mogakolodi Ngele‚ signed as part of a swap deal with Mamelodi Sundowns for Sibusiso Vilakazi‚ played a bit-role in Wits’ win on Tuesday.
Malajila replaced Rodgers in the 86th minute‚ and Ngele remained on the bench.
Hunt said he expects his two strikers with long-term injuries‚ James Keene and Phakamani Mahlambi‚ back in December. — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos