Following Thato Mokeke’s official debut for Cape Town Spurs this past week, coach Ernst Middendorp has outlined the importance of having the midfielder on his team.
Mokeke played his first match for the Urban Warriors during their 1-0 loss to Sekhukhune United on Saturday. He played for 63 minutes before making way for Keagan Buchanan.
The 33-year-old has been training with the club since his departure at neighbours Cape Town City FC. Middendorp says Mokeke will play a big part for the struggling side in the remaining games.
ERNST MIDDENDORP ON THATO MOKEKE EXPERIENCE AFTER HIS DEBUT
“He is a very qualified player; there is no doubt about that,” said Middendorp.
“He hasn’t played for five, six months now. We were planning [to play him] for 30 minutes, but good, we got him into the second half, and he will definitely help us in the remaining games.
“But for such a long time not on the field, you have to be careful not to get an injury or another injury at this moment. We stretched it very much today.”
CAPE TOWN SPURS DSTV PREMIERSHIP FATE TO BE DECIDED ON FRIDAY?
CT Spurs will now shift their focus to the do-or-die bottom-of-the-log clash against Richards Bay FC on Friday. A loss for Spurs will definitely see them relegated back to the Motsepe Foundation Championship after just one season.
But a win will revive their survival hopes for the other five remaining matches. Middendorp admits a defeat for them will come with dire consequences.
“If we don’t win on Friday evening, then you can close the book,” said the CT Spurs coach.
“That’s the reality. We have to win this game, simple as it is. How you do it doesn’t matter.”
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