The SSS Football Academy’s dream has finally been realised – albeit a bit fortuitous and in by the back door.
This club from the Athlone LFA will also be amongst the crème de la creme when the prestigious Bayhill Cup kicks off on 27 March at the Erica Park Sports Complex in Belhar. The final of the Easter spectacle will again be played at the Home of Soccer, the Athlone Stadium, on 1 April.
SSS, coached by the former Silver Spurs’ under-18 coach Brian Adonis, secured its place at the tournament as the best third-placed team following the withdrawal of one of the visiting sides – but nothing can be taken away from the achievement of Adonis who refused to give up on his Bayhill dream.
“I tried last year with Silver Spurs but fell short during the round-robin of the playoffs,” Adonis told No Bones with Jones. “It was always a dream of mine to take a team to the Finals. That is why when I joined SSS I had a chat with the chairman (Ebrahiem) and informed him about my vision.
“I requested that he support me with a (technical) team that can understand one another and that wants to build a relationship with the players and that is eager to be part of the Bayhill – and that is exactly what he gave me with the support of Byron Jacobs and Zaakir Mustapha.
“The two of them have been a great help and then we also brought in Taswell Brandt who coached with me at Silver Spurs and has years of experience in the game – and with the grace of God we are part of the Bayhill. I am very excited and emotional as it is a big deal to me and the players as well,” Adonis added.
The Academy that is based at the Turfhall Sports Complex is drawn in Group E along with the University of Pretoria, Junction Rovers and another newcomer in Elsies River United.
Meanwhile, the chairman of SSS Ebrahiem “Hiema” Mustapha, has lauded his technical team for their belief and confidence in the “process.”
“The coaches were from day one very positive about our prospects and they never stopped believing,” Hiema told our website.
“Hence, I am very proud and no words can express how I feel. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about the fact that we are finally going to be part of this fantastic tournament after 11 years. The last two months have been hectic and the team has shown their commitment and desire. They know what is at stake.
“But what pulled us through is the belief of our competent coaching team, especially coach Brian – and to think when he joined the club two years ago I was told in my face that he won’t last months,” Mustapha concluded.
