Vasco da Gama’s coach Andrew Pequeno says they are bracing themselves for the “toughest away game of the season” thus far when they travel to Seaside Spurs.
Vasco is setting the pace in the Hollywoodbets Third Division and is the only unbeaten team in the league after 12 matches.
The Parow Park-based outfit narrowly edged out Trinitarians on Monday at their home ground to maintain their grip at the summit over the chasing pack which includes Cape Town City, Crystal Palace and Saxon Rovers.
City’s 4-2 win over Saxons on Tuesday closed the gap to two points on Vasco to keep the pressure on Pequeno and his troops.
Vasco has a score to settle with coach Gerald Stober’s Seaside after the debutants knocked them out of the Nedbank Cup last year.
“They have strengthened since then and have only lost 2 games so far,” Pequeno told No Bones with Jones. “Stober is a very astute coach.”
Pequeno himself dipped into the market when he acquired the services of the striker Robbie Fredericks from the Second Division outfit Santos.
“We only added two u.21 players with that. I am happy with my squad and we did all our recruiting at the start of the season. This league is about rotation and piecing the Unders-rule puzzle to suit you and it is not about the name of the player or status of the player that you recruit,” Pequeno pointed out.“
Vasco boasts the best defensive record and have only conceded nine goals while scoring 18 goals from their 12 match thus far – so there is really no imbalance to his team’s performances.
The former Bellville City coach emphasized that they are not fazed by their unbeaten display so far but will be pleased to know that he travels to Ocean View with a full-strength squad.
“Yes, no injuries or suspensions so that is comforting,” he further added. “Seaside is a tough nut to crack and they will have good support as Ubuntu plays Rangers after our match so we can expect some hostilities from the crowd which add to the excitement on the pitch,” Pequeno added.
