adminZIMBABWE and Maritzburg United striker Evans Rusike insists he is not perturbed after a move to Kaizer Chiefs did not materialise, as he aims to do better than last season for his KwaZulu-Natal club.
Despite Maritzburg’s struggles last season, Rusike shone in attack, scoring nine goals including two vital strikes against Jomo Cosmos on the last day of the season to help his side escape relegation.
And the Warriors striker, who joined the Team of Choice at the start of last season from Hwange is hoping to contribute even more this campaign.
“I’m just hoping for the best. I scored eight goals after the halfway mark of the season and I’m hoping to do better that,” he told KickOff.com.
“But we will be better and the new guys are gelling very well. Last season was sort of the bad for the team, but now I feel we will be okay.”
Rusike, who was named Player of the Season last term, attracted widespread interest with his performances, and was rumoured to be high up on the wish list of Chiefs.
Yet despite nothing coming from a proposed move to Soweto, Rusike insists he is still focused on his current club and is happy to stay.
“I’m happy at Maritzburg and not to leave didn’t disturb me,” he said
“I still have a contract with Maritzburg and if I was going to leave, it was going to be Maritzburg’s decision.”
Ernst Middendorp’s side will open the new season away against the German’s former club Bloemfontein Celtic on Wednesday at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.
And new Maritzburg United striker Andrea Fileccia says he’s looking forward to playing alongside fellow front man Rusike.
The Belgian joined the Team of Choice from Free State Stars earlier in the transfer window, and after a brief period of adjustment, says he’s settling in well in his new surroundings.
“I’m okay now,” he told his club’s website. “I’m settling in and I’m responding very well on the field. I want to do well in Maritzburg.”
The 24-year-old, who scored six goals in eleven PSL appearances last season, refused to set himself a goal-target for this campaign, however.
“I don’t want to set a target,” he said. “I will take it game after game, and I think that the pitch will talk for me, but I am confident for this season.”
Fileccia was full of praise for the club’s top scorer from last season Rusike, who finished the campaign with nine goals to his name, as he looks forward to teaming up with the talented forward.
“He is a very good player, very strong and he can score goals,” he said. “I think as a team we will do well.”
Following the club’s ‘great escape’ last season, Fileccia feels the club’s supporters should look forward to a new and improved Maritzburg outfit this time around, and promises a “different” outcome to last season.
“What is done is done,” he said. “Last season is gone. This is a new year and there are some new players. The coach knows all the players very well, and as players we believe one hundred percent in ourselves.
“We have a very strong team and the spirit is good. This season is going to be very different from last season.”
Kickoff.com
Online Reporter