Free State Stars development coach Themba Sithole insists he is delighted with the quality of the squad he has prepared for the upcoming season.

Ea Lla Koto has been scouring the country for fresh talent to beef up their playing sources ahead of another assault on the MultiChoice Diski Challenge and the ABC Motsepe leagues, reports the Free State Stars website.

The development coach revealed that the technical team has been working hard to bring in new young talent to bolster the squad for the season ahead.

‘We have assembled a very good squad ahead of the new season,’ Sithole said.

‘The technical team has been working hard scouting all over the country for new recruits.

‘It’s only the first week since we returned to training, but I am happy with what I have seen so far. We are a little bit light in defence so the priority is to identify and bring in a good centre back.’

In past seasons Stars has promoted players from the development squad to the senior team and Sithole believes that their objectives remain the same for this season.

‘Our job is to prepare players to handle the pressure for when they make the step up to the senior squad,’ he added.

‘We want to continue promoting players, whether two or three per season, as we have done in the past two seasons.

‘We also want to give a good account of ourselves in the ABC and MDC leagues. We finished strongly in the MDC last season and I believe we can challenge again this term.’

Last season in the MDC, Ea Lla Koto finished in 11th place on the table after 15 matches, winning five, drawing three and suffering seven defeats while claiming 18 points.

Image: Free State Stars website