Cape Town - Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler admits concerns about pushing Lebogang Manyama too hard, but says that at the same time the hard work is paying dividends.
Manyama netted a brace in a 3-2 win at Wits on Friday night, a result which leaves his side three points clear at the top of the league table.
The two goals took the City captain's tally to seven in 12 league games, a once injury-prone player enjoying arguably the best-ever spell in his career.
Speaking about the impact made by Manyama and fellow attacking midfielder Aubrey Ngoma, Tinkler says he believes that hard work and conditioning have paid off, despite having a concern over the possibility of fatigue.
"Very happy, the work rate from both of them has been phenomenal. There's always been that fear that I have been pushing them too hard," he said.
"But I think that that's been the positive, that pushing them. It has really made them to be in good condition.
"Physically, you're seeing Lebo making those sprints, right at the death, I don't remember him doing that ever at his previous clubs. It means that he is in very, very good physical condition, so is Ngoma."
Tinkler will hope that his captain will be firing all cylinders on Saturday in the Telkom Knockout final against SuperSport United.
Kick off is at 18:00.