New Cape Town Spurs head coach Nasief Morris knows exactly what he’s walking into: a bruising season in the ABC Motsepe League where skill alone won’t be enough. But he’s ready to grind it out, even if it means “winning ugly.”
The former Bafana Bafana defender has returned to familiar ground, taking charge of CT Spurs as they look to rebuild from the bottom and fight their way back up to where they belong.
The former Santos, Panathinaikos [Greece], Racing Santander, and Recreativo Huelva [both Spain] player is no stranger to life at Ikamva. He previously served as Shaun Bartlett’s assistant in both the Motsepe Foundation Championship and the Betway Premiership.
After a short spell coaching the University of Cape Town Ladies team, Morris was called back to lead CT Spurs when the club’s plan to acquire a Motsepe Foundation Championship status fell through. Despite that setback, he chose to stay on, assisted by his former Santos teammate and ex-Orlando Pirates attacker Tyren Arendse.
Looking ahead to the new campaign, to kick off on Friday, 14 November, Morris admitted CT Spurs will stand out as one of the few teams trying to play proper football in a division known for its physicality and direct style.
MORRIS VOWS TO GRIND IT OUT IN ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE
“It’s been a long pre-season that started in July because the club was planning to acquire a status in the NFD, but unfortunately, it did not work out,” Morris told FARPost.
CT Spurs have already suffered early disappointment after they were eliminated from the Nedbank Cup playoffs, a 1-0 loss to Batalions FC in Paarl.
“It was an unlucky result and I think the heat also played a big factor [in the inland area of the Western Cape in Paarl]”, Morris said. “ I also feel there was a bit of nerves on the players as it was the first official game of the season. That goal was their only shot on target that they had. We only woke up after that. We created five to six chances and hit the post once or twice,” Morris continued.
MORRIS AND CT SPURS READY FOR THE TOUGH ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE
The new coach also gave his verdict on a squad that has seen major changes, 21 departures and 12 new arrivals.
“I am quite happy with what we have. We have kept a few players with NFD experience and signed a few with ABC Motsepe experience.
“This is a different type of league. It is not the type you can plan and win in your own terms. You are coming up against teams that are disorganised [on the pitch] or teams that just play on the second ball. You won’t find teams that want to play football; we are one of those that will want to play. But I have explained this to my players. We will have to win ugly. There will be wars. The teams that score will be the ones that get the three points,” Morris added.
CT Spurs will open their 2025/26 ABC Motsepe Western Cape season on Saturday, 15 November against Zizwe United FC at Ikamva.
The province is split into two streams, with each winner advancing to a two-legged final. The overall champions will then battle the other provincial winners for promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship at the end of the season.
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