After a splendid run in the past season, which saw them earn a place at the national play-offs for a chance to participate in the National First Division, Vodacom League campaigners, Mbombela United FC is ready to start afresh and aim for a clinical finish.

Taking with them the vast experience and exposure gained from participating in this stream and the national play-offs, United look set and ready for the new season which begins in October.

The team’s new head coach, Alex Zondi has made it clear that their aim is to finish on top of the table in order for them to gain passage to the play-offs.

“The team has a clear vision and our aim is to take the team to the National First Division this coming season. Our preparations for the new season are progressing well and have already played a number of pre-season games which in a way helped us see all the gaps that are needed showed to be closed down,” said Zondi, who has travelled the country and has been with teams campaigning in the NFD, including the Ermelo-based Batau FC as a player.

With regard to signing new players Zondi said, “We do have a core of players from last season, to be precise about 60% of the players are still with the team, but we are going to be formally announcing new players in due time, because we haven’t finalized our plans. We have to get young players so that we have a balanced team, but otherwise we are on the right track.”

“We believe we are assembling a good team that will represent the province on national stage one day, but for now we promise our supporters nothing but good football,” he further said.

When asked if he intends changing the team’s style of play and introduce his own, Zondi had this to say, “I am not a bulldozer, obviously when I came here, management made it clear to me that they expect good football and win matches, fortunately for me I believe in playing quality and entertaining football.

“We are going to improve in what we can to help us do well and try to improve where we are lacking and building the team to play formidable football with a purpose of winning games,” he stated.

He said the players are timely understanding what is expected of them and willing to go the extra mile to achieve the desired results. Zondi is already planning for the Nedbank Cup, which features all the PSL teams and eight teams from both the NFD and Vodacom leagues.

“The starting point for us is to see the team reach the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup, because we want to use this competition, as a way of exposing and groom our players and the entire team to other team’s structures,” he said.

United play their home games at the KaNyamazane Stadium and go by the nickname of Tingwenyama.