The 2023 Coke Cup finalists, the defending champion Diadora FC and Goulburn Athletic, may have more in common than what meets the eye.
Besides the fact that both are community clubs with a passionate support base – Diadora from Hanover Park and Goulburn from Bonteheuwel – the duo are also both driven by the fact that they are chasing a historic cup and league double.
Coach Sardick “Balla” Barends’ Goulburn clinched the club’s first league title in decades when they beat rivals Bluegum United by 1-0 to cap off a fantastic season at the Metropolitan LFA.
So too did Diadora who got the better of their arch-rivals SSS Academy by winning the league at the Athlone LFA.
The league successes of both these clubs just added another dimension to Saturday’s Cup Final at the Athlone Stadium and there aren’t enough superlatives to describe this showdown.
One thing is for sure, history will be made – but which one will it be? The underdog in Goulburn or the favourite in Diadora? – your guess is as good as mine!
Given Goulburn’s heroic exploits this season one wouldn’t put in past them to achieve the unthinkable and improbable – but that would be easier said than done.
One does not need to be a dog lover to know that a hungry dog is an angry and dangerous one – not to be messed with.
Therefore Goulburn will be forgiven if they have their sights firmly set on a historic first Coke Cup title as it is there for the taking.
However, they will have to overcome a defending champion in Diadora FC who themselves are chasing a historic double and that has increased the stakes for coach Shakes Mangaliso and his troops.
Needless to say, Diadora is loaded with quality and experience campaigners such as their captain, Tshepiso “Shabba” Thlapi, Shaheed “Hiedie” Abrahams, the prolific goal poacher Jerry Mxabo and Sifiso Ntjolo amongst others.
From a neutral point of view, one could not have asked for a better spectacle to bring down the curtain on Safa Cape Town’s amateur season.
Whatever the outcome, soccer will definitely be the winner as both Diadora’s Shakes and Goulburn’s Balla are exemplary human beings and even better coaches knowing there can only be one winner!
