Vasco aim to surprise

Newly promoted Premier Soccer League side, Vasco da Gama, intend to surprise a few clubs and doubters when they make their debut in the Absa Premiership against Orlando Pirates in a double header at the Cape Town Stadium to open the season next Friday night.

Vasco, who won the First Division championship to gain promotion to the elite PSL for the first time in the club’s history, play the Buccaneers at 6pm followed at 8.45pm by the showdown between Ajax Cape Town and Bloemfontein Celtic.

Vasco head coach Carlos das Neves has been busy in the transfer marker beefing up his squad with plenty of experience. And assistant coach Tony de Nobrega is brimming with optimism for the season that lies ahead.

Das Neves has brought in 35-year-old former Bafana Bafana star Sibusiso Zuma, from Mamelodi Sundowns as well as travelled Free State Stars defender Martin Carelse, Cape Town born defender Rudi Isaacs from champions Supersport United, plus three Pirates players in strikers Excellent Walaza and midfielders Josephy Kamwendo and Lebogang Mothibantwa on loan.

Zuma must have been considering retirement after a disastrous season with big spending Downs where he was reputed to be earning in the region of R200 000 per month and started only 12 matches due to injuries and loss of form.

However, De Nobrega says Vasco will utilise Zuma’s experience.

“He has been doing well in pre-season matches and I realise pre-season is no yardstick for the real thing which starts next Friday. But Zuma’s experience could be a big plus for us.”

De Nobrega, who was assistant coach at Celtic for the past seven years, decided to head back home to Cape Town and join his schoolboy friend Das Neves this season.

“I was born in Cape Town and have been friends with Carlos since we were at primary school in Bellevue. I was delighted to return to Cape Town and join him at Vasco where I have family links.

“After seven years in Bloemfontein I felt it was time to take my family back home.”

On the season ahead De Nobrega said the priority is to survive and consolidate their place in the PSL, but the goal is a top eight finish.

“We could not have asked for a tougher baptism than playing an ambitious club like Pirates in our first ever match in the PSL, but that will teach us plenty.”

The good news, according to De Nobrega, is their new trio of on loan Buccaneers will be able to make their debut for Vasco against Pirates.