Smiso Msomi
Cape Town City’s off-season arrival Haashim Domingo has set his sights on helping his new club win trophies in the new season.
The Citizens will take their first crack at securing silverware when they take to the pitch for the first time this season as they travel to Limpopo to face Sekhukhune United in the MTN8.
The two teams will play the third quarter-final of the competition on Saturday at 3pm, with Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch already assured of a spot in the next round while Mamelodi Sundowns take on Polokwane City on Sunday.
City have been among the busiest clubs in the transfer market in the off-season and did their business early. Alongside Domingo, they also signed the likes of Fortune Makaringe, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Namibian international Prinz Tinjueza.
Domingo is back in the country having left Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca a year ago. Before that the 28-year-old attacker had won three league titles, the Nedbank Cup and MTN8 with Sundowns and has a medal from Raja’s invincible season as well.
When quizzed about his ambitions on returning to his hometown, Domingo insisted that he was looking forward to trying to help the club add to their Telkom Knockout (2017) and MTN8 (2019) trophies.
“I’m a winner, so I want to go all the way, whether it’s the MTN8 or we’re competing for the league,” he said.
“With regards to the team, I think we can (compete for titles) with a balance of experience and youngsters coming through because we have a good group of youngsters. I think we can compete and we stand a very good chance.”
Domingo turned out eight times for the national Under-20 team but is yet to make his Bafana Bafana debut. After a season in Morocco where he made just 10 appearances, Domingo is determined to get his feet on the grass and forge a way into Hugo Broos’ side in this season.
“Obviously, when it comes to Bafana I’d like to tick that box, but I’ll just take it one game at a time. I just want to play and not lose the love for the game.
“It felt as if I had lost it in the previous year being that side (Morocco). I just want to enjoy my football again and then I think everything else will fall into place.”
Domingo also expressed how important it was for him to be on familiar ground as well as to be around his support structure.
“Most definitely (it helps to be around family). It’s been 11 years since I’ve been in Cape Town, so it does help. I feel at home and the way the club is also run makes it easy for me.”