Cape Town City appear to have found a striker to spark things in attack – new signing Matthew Rusike – but, after the Zimbabwean scored on debut midweek, they will again have to look elsewhere this afternoon.
Rusike scored a fantastic header in City’s 1-0 Nedbank Cup tie over Bidvest Wits on Wednesday night, but he won’t be available when the Cape side makes its debut in inter-continental competition in a CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, first leg tie against Young Buffaloes in Mbabane, Swaziland at 4pm on Saturday.
Rusike and the two other new attacking signings – Masoud Juma and Allan Katerrega – have not been registered for this stage of the CAF event; the Capetonians will have to wait for the next phase of the competition before they can add players.
In addition, Nigerian forward Victor Obinna has left the club by mutual consent.
According to City boss John Comitis, Obinna only had a contract for six months, with an option to continue. But the Nigerian has struggled to settle down and find his form, he has been regularly injured, while off the field he has been battling to get the paperwork sorted for his family to come over. As a result, the player decided to rather go back to join his family in Europe.
As such, head coach Benni McCarthy will again have to look at players like Sibusiso Masina, Judas Moseamedi and Nana Akosah-Bempah to carry the responsibility up front.
McCarthy is also keen to offer two emerging youngsters – Zukile Kewuti and Shane Roberts - an opportunity in this competition. The two have been in impressive form in the Reserve League and the coach wants to see what they can offer at a higher level.