New signings will add bite to Highbury

NEWLY signed Highbury allrounder Leroy van Rensburg was delighted to score his first goal after joining the team during the transfer window period in December.

Van Rensburg, 26, netted the winning goal for Highbury against his former team, Morning Stars, after playing four matches for his new outfit.

Highbury beat Stars 2-1 in a Safa Eastern Cape Second Division League encounter at the Zwide Stadium last weekend.

Van Rensburg scored eight goals for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (Madibaz) senior team during the Varsity Football Cup and was among the top three goal-scorers last season.

He said he was excited about joining Highbury because their type of play suited him.

"My mission is to help the team and play in the National First Division League next season."

He said he felt comfortable playing alongside Niven Kopps because they had been playing together since their junior days.

"I want to score more goals for Highbury and our team will be stronger at the back once Kopps has passed his fitness test."

Highbury coach Garth Dickinson said: "The acquisition of Leroy and defender Niven Kopps from Morning Stars will add value to the strike force and bring stability to the team.

"The two players were with us in our first season of the Safa Eastern Cape Second Division League campaign, but both players were offered bursaries to study at NMMU, hence they joined Bay Stars and played for the Madibaz."

Dickinson said he was happy that the two players were back home at Highbury.

"The team have six strikers because we need goal-scorers this season and they will have to compete for a position in the starting lineup."

He said they were still working on Kopps's fitness level.

"He will be available for selection soon, but we still need time to work on his fitness first."