Cape Town City have high hopes for new signing Matthew Rusike

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Feb 06, 2018. 18:30

Cape Town City have expressed their hope that new signing Matthew Rusike will be a hit at the Premier Soccer League club.

The former Kaizer Chiefs striker has joined City as a free agent, effectively replacing Victor Obinna following the Nigerian’s recent departure.

“It was tough for Victor on the personal side with his family,” assistant coach Vasili Manousakis explained.

“I think his wife has a business there in Russia, and all the rest of it … but the initial deal was only six months, and then afterwards we’d take it from there.

“So it was a mutual agreement. He said he needed to go back, and we said okay. And then we were scrambling for another striker. It was taking Obinna time to adapt, but he was in fantastic shape.

“He hadn’t played in seven months and he eventually got to a point where he was looking good. I think we were paying for that experience in the changing room, at the training ground – you don’t get that every day, but now unfortunately he’s gone back home.”

On the issue of Rusike, who has also played in Portugal, Sweden and North Africa, Manousakis believes the 27-year-old will have a major and immediate impact.

“Let’s hope Matty is our [Alexis] Sanchez or [Sergio] Aguero, that’s what we’re hoping for,” he said.

“Now it’s about how quickly we can get his [registration] card and see if he can make a difference.”