Wits assistant coach: The break came at a good time

Bidvest Wits assistant coach Paul Johnstone reckons the extended Absa premiership break due to the Africa Cup of Nations came in very handy for the club, as they look to get back to their best form, which saw them win the MTN8 trophy early in the season last year.

However, the Clever Boys performance took a nosedive in a couple of matches, which saw them win only one of their last five matches the previous year.

“The break came at a good time. We were not playing well and everyone looked a bit lacklustre. As a team, we most certainly are not where we wanted to be. The team went away and had a good break and everyone has come back in very good spirits. We have had a successful first week back, and we will obviously push on from the camp. It is important for us to get games under our belt, get existing combinations right and work on new combinations,” Johnstone was quoted on the club’s website.

“The players have come back in pretty good shape, and we obviously have the opportunity to go on a camp now because of Afcon. We almost have the second phase of preseason, but it will not be as intense or as long.  It gives the team an opportunity to get away for a week, away from normal training and rebuild relationships and get the players flying again before the start of the season.”

Wits will partake in a small round robin tournament against Baroka FC, Mbombela United and Supersport United on Saturday the January 21 at Mbombela Stadium.