Two seasons ago Junction Rovers had to win promotion to the ABC Motsepe League the ‘hard way’ by playing two games within a space of a couple of hours during the Hollywoodbets Third Division Playoff campaign.
Now the proverbial luck of the draw, or lack thereof has befallen their city rivals Vasco da Gama, after Safa Western Cape released the full set of fixtures for the spectacle which kicks off on Saturday in Plettenberg Bay.
Vasco, who have been drawn with Diaz Leeds and Bitou Young Pirates in Group B, play the former on Saturday at 12:30 followed by Pirates at 17:30 later in the day while Mbekweni Cosmos, Bazuka United from the Cape Winelands and Overberg respectively, will battle it out with the Central Karoo region
Maximum points in both games should ensure Vasco wins promotion to the Second Division. That aside, the big talking point that has sparked controversy is that the Central Karoo still needs to confirm if Barcelona FC or Ubuntu Spartans will be its representative.
Vasco’s coach Andrew Pequeno (pictured) stated that they will just have to deal with their more challenging route by drawing inspiration from Junction when they had to overcome a double header against Amabantini and Stellenbosch FC on day one to win promotion.
Pequeno, whose troops have been a cut above the rest during Safa Cape Town’s Regional Third Division campaign the season past, says that Junction has shown it can be done and they would want to follow suit.
According to Pequeno, who is eyeing a third (personal) promotion title following his two with Hanover Park FC, they are ready to get it “over and done with.”
“I’ve worked with my boys for some time now and I can see the hunger and desire in their eyes and this tells me they are on a mission,” Pequeno said to No Bones with Jones. “Getting over the first hurdle with maximum points is vital. Look, we are giving it all we got and my players are ready. That said, we also respect our opponents,” said Pequeno.
