Alex United begins preparations for another season of ABC Motsepe League

Alexandra United has begun its preparations to assemble a formidable team for another season of the ABC Motsepe League.

Coach Tracy-Lee Pepper said the Hope City Giants, as United is affectionately known in Alexandra, will hold trials from 11 to 14 August at the Edenvale Football Club in 17th Avenue in Edenvale.

“We’re looking for players born between 1993 and 1997 and we’re obviously looking to draw the bulk of our players from clubs in Alexandra with the help of the local football association,” said Pepper.

She said they had sent a communication to the association requesting that clubs in Alex each send them three of their best players, saying that this request was a manageable figure as opposed to being swamped by too many players from other clubs.

Pre-season training begins on 17 August, and by then Pepper said she would like to have assembled a squad of 25 players to take them through the season.

“We have an SABC crew coming to the trials and to the start of the season preparations to do a profile on the club, Alexandra and its footballing history, and we’re confident that this will be a huge boost for us in terms of the attention and focus we get,” she said.

Of the 38 players they had on their books for the past season, Pepper said only 13 players were invited back, and among them are prolific players such as Kagiso Senamela, Collins Zimba, David Thwala and longstanding stalwart Mduduzi Mabizela.

Gone are the likes of lethal striker Mfanafuthi ‘Isidlakela’ Mboma, Chicho Mabeba (now with Highlands Park), Booysen Sambok and Katlego ‘Skates’ Mbatha.

“Our desire is to assemble a formidable team that will compete well in the league, and God willing, take us to next rung of the football ladder,” she said.

Meanwhile, the coach’s son, Smith Pepper, who was part of the team last season, will leave in two or so weeks for trials in Cyprus with first division side, Aris Limassol.

The coach said they were trying to develop a relationship with Limassol so they could, from time to time, send players to the team and vice versa. “In this way we will be able to develop our players and also open opportunities for them,” she added.

Details: Tracy-Lee Pepper 082 469 7451.