With the defending Coke Cup champion Diadora FC along with two former winners still in contention, it is certainly anyone guess as to who will walk away with Safa Cape Town’s most coveted cup competition for 2023.
Diadora FC, the current holders are looking to retain their title they won last season – against all odds. The team from Hanover Park lead by the experienced Shahied Abrahams resume their title defence in the Round of 16 against Table View FC (13:30) at the Rooikrans Sportfield on Sunday.
They can however expect strong resistance from two former champs such as Hanover Park FC and Young Pirates who were drawn against Everton United and Gouldburn United respectively for their Round of 16 ties.
Hanover Park’s match-up on Sunday will be a repeat of the Round of 16 of 2014 when Everton won on penalties beating the likes of Colin Moos and others.
According to ”Hiedie’ as Abrahams is commonly known, they are well aware of the threat but added they are on a mission not to be derailed.
“We have a strong feeling that we can go all the way again,” Abrahams told our website. “I think we also have a better squad than last season when we won it. Having said that, football is a funny game and especially in a cup competition. Therefore, we cannot be too complacent,” the talisman added.
Should Diadora overcome Table View on Sunday, they will come against the winner of Game Yethu FC or Lavender Hill in the quarter final.
Meanwhile the ladies’ section is equally as tight with the defending champion UCT Ladies very much the firm favourite. The students will have to be on their best to retain their title given that teams like the Magic Ladies, RV United, Heideveld Female Football Academy also harbours aspirations to lift the trophy.
In the u.18 section, a new champ will be crowned after the defending champion Cape Town City opted not to take part in the competition due to other commitments. Last year’s runner-up Ubuntu Academy could go one better this season by lifting the trophy.
However, they will have their work cut out for them after they were drawn against the Bayhill champions, Grassy Park United in the Round of 16 what could be a cracker of a match.
Two other matchups to look forward to is that of Cape Town Spurs and Greenwood Athletic while Hellenic versus Rygersdal promises to be a tight affair.
The three finals will be held on October 14th at the ‘Home of Soccer’, the Athlone Stadium.
