Tovey fires up AmaZulu

AmaZulu head coach Neil Tovey has told his players to hit the ground running when they kick off the new Premier Soccer League season against champions SuperSport United in the quarter-finals of the MTN 8 trophy on August 4.

Said Tovey: "There will be no time for adjustments and playing ourselves in as this is going to be a short, tight season.

"The league begins straight after the first round of the tournament but it is the same for all the teams and I'm not complaining. In fact we are looking forward to playing SuperSport.

"We have a decent record against them over the past two seasons and we will be out to upset them."

The draw for the MTN 8 is seeded according to the individual club's final top eight positions at the end of the 2008/09 season. United, as champions, play AmaZulu who finished eighth.

The venue will be decided at Monday's launch of the competition.

Said Tovey: "SuperSport have strengthened their team and have impressed during the close season. They are always a tough side to play against but so are we. My one aim this season is to make AmaZulu a really hard side to beat.

"Winning the MTN 8 would be a fantastic start for us but I am not looking that far. I am focused on the opening match and will take it from there."

Tovey, who took over from Clive Barker, who is now director of coaching at Usuthu, has boosted his side with a number of key signings.

His latest is left-sided midfielder Sibusiso Hadebe from relegated Thanda Royal Zulu.

"Hadebe impressed me. He ran rings around Kaizer Chiefs last season for Thanda and he will be a good asset to my squad."

Tovey beefed up his defence when he signed Argentinian-born keeper Nick Gimdre, who grew up in England and played most of his career in the English lower leagues and also brought in tough-as-teak central defender Warren Bishop from First Division Pretoria University.

"Bishop reminds me of myself as a player. He is solid, committed and will play a key role at the heart of my defence this season."

The three are likely to make their debuts against United but Tovey is still busy making last-minute signings.

"I have a number of players, including a couple of strikers, who look promising that I am looking at." - Sapa