Mabena v Brockie - battle of the sharpshooters

Published Aug 24, 2016

Share

Hitmen Ndumiso Mabena and Jeremy Brockie will be out on dual missions when Platinum Stars host SuperSport United in their season opener at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium tonight.

The pair will be battling it out not just to help their teams to acquire the points but for their own personal missions. They have their sights set on the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot accolade this season. Last season Mabena found the back of the net 10 times while Brockie netted 11 goals in the league. Now they will be eager to add to their tallies from last season. Brockie has come out with his target while Mabena has shied away from a figure.

“I have said openly that I was disappointed with the 11-goal league tally that I got last season. I went through ups and downs last season. The 20-goal barrier hasn’t been broken for a while and that’s a goal of mine and if I can get that then it will lead to success for the squad as well,” said Brockie.

Unlike Brockie, whose target is to go beyond 20 goals, Mabena doesn’t want to put himself under pressure.

“Every time I am asked about a target I don’t say anything. I just tell myself that I have to bury each and every chance that I get in order to get as many goals as I can,” said Mabena, pictured.

During the off season, both Stars and SuperSport were busy beefing up their teams. Brockie’s side made wholesale changes by recruiting a number of experienced players while Mabena’s club opted to promote close to nine youngsters with few additions from outside. Brockie is adamant Matsatsantsa a Pitori will be in the hunt for the Absa Premiership title this season.

“In the change- room, when we look around at the faces that we see there’s a lot of talent and experience capable of winning a lot of things. So if we say we aren't interested in winning the league, I don’t know. It’s a goal of mine and of the club to win the league. This team has the potential to do that,” said the man from New Zealand.

“My desire to win the league is very high. When I came to South Africa 18 months ago, I had never won a trophy as a professional footballer. To be able to lift the Nedbank Cup last year was very special so I've got the taste for it now. If you want to win trophies, you have to do it consistently and coming away with the league championship that’s the icing on the cake. That’s a goal of mine.”

Mabena and Co will also be taking part in the CAF Confederation Cup this season. The Bafana Bafana striker is eager to do his part in order to help Dikwena fare well on the domestic and continental front.

“I want to add value by helping the team to achieve one or two trophies and doing well in Africa. It’s not going to be an easy season for us. There are lots of games that we are going to be playing so we have to take care of ourselves,” said Mabena.

Tonight will also give an indication as to who between SuperSport’s Stuart Baxter and Stars’ Cavin Johnson played their cards right in the transfer market. Will Baxter’s team, which looks great on paper, come to the party or will Johnson’s risk in the youth pay off? - The Star

Related Topics: