Bidvest Wits managed to score 28 goals in the Absa Premiership last season. Despite this, they have not really beefed up their attack.
”It’s a problem most clubs have,” Wits coach Roger de Sa said on Monday. ”It’s difficult finding good strikers here, and when you do then they come with a hefty price tag.”
Premiership winners SuperSport United scored 40 goals, while runners-up Ajax Cape Town netted 44.
The dearth of strikers in South Africa forced the former South Africa goalkeeper to look to samba land — Brazil — for a hit man.
”I went to Brazil during the break and we’ve signed three Brazilians from São Paulo. One of them is a striker and the other an attacking midfielder, and I don’t think we’ll need more than that,” said De Sa.
The likes of Dale Studzinski, David Radebe and Clive Moyo-Modise will once again lead the attack for the Clever Boys when the league kicks off at the end of August. Wits are now in their third week of training and De Sa is impressed with the 28 players’ performance.
”The guys have looked after themselves and we’re pleased with their fitness levels,” he said. ”In fact, we’re very happy with most of them. We’ll still trim the squad down to 25 players, but you never know what can happen before the league kicks off.
”There is no one specific we’re looking at signing but we’ll keep our eyes open.”
On Monday, Wits drew 0-0 with MP Black Aces in a friendly match and De Sa says there are a few more of these matches coming up.
”The result is not really important in these games. We want the players to get used to playing 90 minutes and to build their confidence,” he said.
”We’ve got a few more friendlies lined up and all the players we have will play. It gives us [the technical team] the chance to see different combinations too. Right now it’s too early to say who is the first 11.”
De Sa admitted Moeneeb Josephs’s move to Orlando Pirates was a blow.
”Of course we were upset and dissapointed about him leaving, but there is not much you can do when a player makes up his mind. He is one of the best ‘keepers in the country, but we have to go on. When one player leaves, the door is open for others to step in,” he said. — Sapa