Rest assured, the sparks will fly and things could become heated on Saturday when the Cape Town Tygerberg LFA’s Premier League Knockout Final is contested between arch-rivals Wynberg-St Johns (WSJ) and Rygersdal FC at the Edgemead Sports Complex.
There will definitely be no love lost when these two Premier Division foes take to the field as they have unfinished business.
In the league encounters this season, WSJ (2-1) came out trumps in the first round and Rygersdal (3-2) claimed bragging rights in the return fixture.
This will also be WSJ’s third consecutive knockout final after they lost their initial one by 1-2 against Hanover Park in extra time.
The Wynberg-based club made amends the following year when they narrowly beat Vasco da Gama 3-2 – also in extra time to lift the title, while Rygersdal is keen to get their hands on the KO-title again they last won during the 2017/’18 season when the made clean sweep with the treble.
WSJ’s head coach Heiny Gradwell informed No Bones with Jones that they need to be consistent in winning another trophy for the club.
WSJ recently squandered an opportunity for possible success in the Coke Cup when they lost out to Goulburn Athletic in the quarter-final of this competition.
Needless to say, they will be desperate to salvage their season, especially after losing out in the Third Division Promotional playoffs a while back – so, there is a lot on the line.
Despite this, Gradwell maintains they do not feel the heat as such going into the big derby-clash.
“No pressure hey on us as the boys need to come with BMT (big match temperament),” Gradwell stated.
”The boys have been there before and as I said, there is no real pressure but respect for our opponents as they are a quality outfit,” he added.
Meanwhile, Rygersdal coach Anwar Gallant is no stranger to success after assisting Andrew Pequeno to gain promotion to the ABC Motsepe with Hanover Park FC a few seasons ago.
Gallant will also be eager to add another title to his resume with Rygersdal but is fully aware that WSJ will give them a run for their money again.
“Saturday’s match is going to be a tough encounter,” Gallant conceded. “Wynberg-St. Johns is a team rich in history and with great support. They have a very good and experienced team. They are defending champions and were tipped as one of the favourites this year to win the cup.
“We are 1-1 so far this season. With both teams winning their respective home league matches. A cup final in the biggest association in Cape Town, is a fitting decider.
“This will also be a great experience for my boys, with seven under 18’s making the squad. The experience of a senior Cup Final can teach valuable lessons to them. We are ready to give our all and we are looking to play an attractive brand of football. Good luck to Wynberg-St Johns,” Gallant added.
Other interesting match-ups on the cards are in the Over 45 (A) Division when Hanover Park squares up with Stephanian Ottery – not to mention FN Rangers’ clash against Vasco da Gama in the over 35 (A) section.
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