Igesund eyes top eight

Moroka Swallows coach Gordon Igesund has lofty aspirations for the team this season.

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Johannesburg - Moroka Swallows coach Gordon Igesund on Tuesday said that he was targeting a top eight finish for the side in the coming season.

The once glamourous outfit survived relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, beating Mpumalanga Black Aces on the last day of the PSL campaign to survive going to the play-offs.

Now the original Soweto giants have set plans to ensure that they reclaim their former glory that has been in decline since the mid-nineties.

“It hasn't been easy, last season was tough for us,” said Igesund.

“We have set a target of a top eight finish for the new season and that's being realistic.

“This club has got a rich history, its a sleeping giant, but we do want to build on something for the future.”

Swallows have already made three signings in defender Rudie Isaacs, midfielder Joseph Makhanya striker Mpho Maleka.

Though, the club spent most of the next campaign's budget last season on signing players to help them survive relegation, Igesund said that they will add three more players to the current squad.

Good news for the side is that their Under-23 star defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele will not be joining Orlando Pirates, the team he has been linked with in the last week.

Despite media reports, there has not been a formal offer for the player, according to the club.

“Right now we have 22 players and want three more, I want 25 players,” he said.

“With our situation last season where we had to get players on loan, but if we didn't we wouldn't be here.

“In terms of Ramahlwe, we haven't heard anything or been approached by Pirates, so there is nothing there.”

The Birds also announced that they would be putting focus on their academy located at their home ground, Dobsonville Stadium.

The Birds are taking a leaf out of Ajax Cape Town’s book. The Cape team narrowly lost out on the league trophy carrying a young squad.

“We have plans of a proper academy, these things don't happen overnight but we on the right track.” said Igesund. - Sapa

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/igesund-eyes-top-eight-1.1090387

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