Hartog targets silverware as Maritzburg skipper
27 August 2014
Maritzburg United captain Ashley Hartog hopes to mark his time as captain by leading the Team of Choice to a trophy this season.
Since taking over as skipper at the beginning of the season, Hartog has lead his side to two victories and a draw in their four games, ensuring a top four position on the Absa Premiership standings.
Hartog admits that captaining the Team of Choice was not something that crossed his mind a few months ago, but having earned the respect of his team-mates, he now hopes to make the most of the opportunity.
“During pre-season my team-mates decided that they wanted me to captain the side,” the Cape Town-born midfielder told maritzburgunited.co.za.
“At that stage, I told the coach [Steve Komphela], to wait until closer to the season to officially give me the captain’s armband, because at that time I was still just focussing on my own game, making sure that I was fit and ready to have a good season after having struggled with injuries over the last three years.
“But I’m happy now that things have been going well. The players having been giving me their support, and it’s a great that we have had such a good start to the season. People looked at the team, us having a lot of new players who have not been in the PSL, and thought that we might struggle.
“But we had a good pre-season, winning or drawing most of our games, and we were able to see how much talent the new signings had, and what they brought to the team.
“The new players bring new energy and enthusiasm to the team, they are fearless and giving their all to try and earn a place in the starting line-up – its good for the competition.
“We have made a good start, but its still early days, so we need to stay humble and keep our feet on the ground, keep working hard. But I would love to be the captain that leads United to some kind of silverware this season, that’s my goal,” Hartog concluded.
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