Was it just me or was the Western Cape ABC Motsepe League Final between the winner FN Rangers and Antalyaspor Cape Town a rather dull and one-sided affair?
I mean, with so much at stake coach Dylan Deane’s Antalyaspor troops didn’t offer much really – especially on attack. I cannot also recall Rangers’ experienced shot-stopper Kyle Peters having to make any saves which underlines my point.
That said, taking nothing away from coach Arreshaat Daniels’ well-oiled Rangers outfit who struck early in both halves via Darron “Billy” Omaticus and Morne Bennett, enabling their side to end the season unbeaten after 17 (league) matches .
Look, Rangers’ dominance this season – despite some proclamations that they were in an ‘easier’ stream (A) compared to Stream B – made them the firm favourites for the highly anticipated final between two heavyweights at the William Herbert Sports Complex on Saturday..
Let the truth be told – it did not live up to expectations from a neutral point of view. There were hardly any personal duels really where defence met attack for that matter.
Mind you, Giovanni Philander was once again brilliant for Rangers and deserves to play in a higher league. With some bulking up and a more professional set-up, Gio will surely just get better and better and could become a contender for Bafana Bafana.
Watching the game yesterday it struck me that Deane’s outfit was twice given a lifeline in Stream B. First when the log leader Maties FC fell out of the race after being beaten by Grassy Park United, and then
The latter’s hopes were given a dent by Zizwe United during a 0-0 draw followed up by a 3-4 shock defeat at home to Oriented Birds. This opened the door for Antalyaspor which was the most consistent side in the three-horse race. But one cannot help but wonder whether Grassy Park would not have given Rangers a proper run for their money.
Deane was unfortunately too preoccupied to speak to No Bones with Jones but I am sure he’d be the first to point out that they were rather flat on the day – and that was rather disappointing.
Whether Deane will put up his hand and admit that he could not pump up his side for this one-off final or to finger their woes due to Rangers’ superiority, is anyone’s guess.
Deane’s counterpart Daniels on the other hand understandably inandatedly accessible, said he is just glad that his tears of sorrow (from 2022) are now replaced with joy.
“Yes, finally,” Daniels told No Bones with Jones. “These boys deserve it and there is no doubt about it. They all put in lots of energy and hard work to get themselves into this situation. I am not even bothered about the ‘unbeaten tag’.
“They are the ones that made all the sacrifices. They bought into our project that started many years ago and it is still (on) going. Each player that we brought in to complete the puzzle has played a role, you know.
“11 of these players and my management were on this journey before and I could see how much it meant for them and they showed that today in their performance,” Daniels concluded.
