Majoro laces up his scoring boots again

CAPE TOWN - Lehlohonolo Majoro has come good at just the right time. Cape Town City host Mamelodi Sundowns in what could be a PSL title-defining fixture at the Athlone Stadium on Friday (kick-off 8pm), with Majoro keen to add to the two goals he plundered against Baroka FC last weekend.

After coming to prominence at AmaZulu in Durban, Majoro enjoyed a stellar career at the two Soweto clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

But by 2015, it had all gone a bit stale for the striker. The goals had dried up and he was struggling to make the Pirates starting team. It was time for a change, time for a new challenge.

When Majoro signed for City in August last year, his arrival was trumpeted as a real big-name capture. But, because of the adaptation period, and coupled with the fact that he was unlucky with injury, the 30-year-old struggled to get going. He was good in patches, but battling to regain the consistency and sharpness that had once defined his career.

Throughout, City coach Eric Tinkler remained positive. Whenever asked about Majoro’s form, he would insist the player was his number one forward and that it was only a matter of time before the goals arrived.

After another brief injury lay-off, Majoro was back in action this year - and, finally, at the weekend, in a comfortable 3-0 triumph over Baroka, Majoro laced up his scoring boots.

He netted twice, but it wasn’t just the goals, more important was the fact that the touch, the sharpness, the predatory instinct for an opening, had returned. And, with PSL and African champions Sundowns as the opposition, Majoro couldn’t have a better and bigger stage to continue his quest for goals.

Majoro was forthright in revealing why he decided to leave Gauteng for the Mother City.

“In Johannesburg, I was comfortable. I had everything,” said Majoro.

“In situations like that, you can become relaxed without even knowing it. For me, it was an opportunity to start at the beginning. I knew I had to work my way back up again.

“City were a new club, established in the Cape, and I was honoured when given an opportunity by coach Eric (Tinkler). For me, it was a blessing in disguise to come to Cape Town.

“Being away from my comfortable life in Gauteng also allowed me space for introspection. I had to focus on myself, and make new friends. But with the atmosphere at City and a great squad of players, it was easy.

“It was all about hard work and making sure we keep the spirit going.”

With City having won the Telkom Knockout Cup last year and perched in a lofty second position on the PSL standings, there is talk of a charge for the league title.

Majoro, though, is not too concerned about that - his job is to get goals for the team and that’s his primary focus.

“It was important for me to score against Baroka,” he said.

“I haven’t been playing too often because of injuries this season. But it was motivating to get back among the goals. Now the challenge is to work harder and score more goals.

“As for the title, I guess it’s achievable, but we have to stay humble, keep working hard, and keep doing what we have been doing well all season. You have to remember that every team up there challenging for the title will also be doing their level best to stay there.

“But there is great motivation in this City squad and, with the influence of the coach (Tinkler) and the work we put in, the title is possible.”