Hugo Marques: Cape Town City improving but Sundowns will retain title
Angolan star goalkeeper Hugo Marques has given his impression of the 2022-2023 DStv Premiership title marathon.
The veteran keeper spoke to FARPost on a wide range of issues in an exclusive interview. The seasoned custodian focused on his former club, Cape Town City and leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
WHAT MARQUES FEELS ABOUT SUNDOWNS AND CAPE TOWN CITY
Hugo Marques says Cape Town City are hitting peak form, but Sundowns will still retain the DStv Premiership title.
Hugo Marques said he follows the Mzansi elite league religiously, as it is close to his heart.
“Yes, I follow the DStv Premiership. I have a lot of friends there,” he said.
The 37-year-old then noted that while Sundowns are running away with a possible sixth consecutive league title, Cape Town City are improving.
“Sundowns are going to be champions again,” he insisted.
“My [former] club is now coming stronger to the second half of the season. The people there deserve all the best.”
Hugo Marques said he does not regret his decision to leave the Citizens earlier this season.
WHY HUGO MARQUES HAS NO REGRETS ABOUT LEAVING THE CITIZENS
Angola’s first-choice senior national team keeper said he needed to be closer to his sick father.
“I’m very happy here. I can follow my father, who is suffering from a heart disease,” he said.
Marques also said he was very comfortable playing for Angola league champions, Petro de Luanda.
“I am closer to my family. It is a big club, one of the best at the moment in Africa,” he said.
Earlier, City’s 2021/22 DStv Goalkeeper of the Season said he had no doubt that he left his mark in South African football fraternity.
The Portugal-born keeper helped the Citizens to their best-ever second-place finish last season in the DStv Premiership.
The Angolan goalie requested to be released by the club, citing a pressing family matter.
City ceded to his request, allowing the towering keeper to leave after the 2-1 loss to AmaZulu in late August 2022.
He quit despite having penned a one-year extension at the end of last season, keeping him at City until 2023.
The new contract came after a memorable maiden season in which he kept 14 clean sheets in 27 outings.
His decision to leave came at a time the club was preparing for the CAF Champions League preliminary round matches.
Cape Town City have since made experienced Darren Keet as number-one choice between the sticks after he lost the position to the Angolan following an injury.
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