Dylan Deane braced for Venda Football Academy test

Cape Town Spurs head coach Dylan Deane and his technical team are braced for the unknown quantity of Venda Football Academy. 

The Urban Warriors kick-off their 2021/22 campaign at home to the Vhembe-based club, who purchased the GladAfrica Championship status of Cape United, on Sunday. Kick-off at Athlone Stadium is at 15h00 CAT. 
Spurs has been very active in the transfer market with no fewer than eight new arrivals and Deane explained that strengthening the squad was top of the agenda. 

“The pre-season from where we started, the first thing we focussed on was the recruitment process and I am really happy with the players we’ve recruited,” Deane said. 

“From the strength and conditioning side, we are still not there yet. We probably need two matches to get all the players up to peak performance levels. That said, I think we’ve done exceptionally well. We’ve had quite a few players joining us quite late, but those who started pre-season with us are at 90, 95 percent.

“In terms of tactics and implementing the way we will try and play this season has been really good. The players have applied themselves really well in the friendly matches. So far I am really happy with everything,” Deane added. 
In terms of what to expect from the game, Deane has predicted a ‘cagey’ affair that is likely to be decided by which team wants it most.  

“From my experience and considering they are a new team in the league, they will have a lot of energy, a lot of fight. The most important thing is that you match your opposition psychologically. Sometimes it is not the team with the best players that wins the game but rather the team that runs harder and works harder,” Deane continued. 

“I think it will be a bit of a cagey affair considering it will be both teams’ first game of the season. Excited to get the season going and only after the first game will we have a real understanding of where we are as a team.”