There’s probably not enough superlatives to sum up Vasco da Gama’s promotion feat this season.
Hence, congratulations to coach Andrew Pequeno and his Vasco-troops should be in order for their exploits this season – firstly, Vasco basically ran away with the Hollywoodbets Third Division title and followed it up by going all the way to win promotion to the ABC Motsepe League (Second Division).
That said, Ocean View FC, who kept their status by virtue of Vasco’s promotion, will undoubtedly feel like the biggest winner as they truly profited from Vasco’s success.
Vasco went unbeaten through the Hollywoodbets Third Division Playoffs in Plettenberg Bay over the weekend underlying their dominance under Pequeno this season.
They beat Diaz Leeds by 3-0 and drew 1-1 with Bitou Young Pirates in their second fixture to top their Group (B) – only to lose 0-1 to their eventual champion Mbekweni Cosmos.
Truth be told the final was kind of an anti-climax given that there are no prize monies allocated for the two finalists. It is also no wonder that Pequeno fielded players that did not get any game time which was admirable.
“We came here to get promoted and that’s what we did,” Pequeno stated to No Bones with Jones.
The ‘Pacman’ as Pequeno is referred to, has now been in charge of 6 playoff games with four wins and two draws. He only lost out once on goal-difference.
The former Hanover Park FC mentor, who refused to take credit for the team’s success, said their achievement is purely down to the buy-in from the players.
According to Pequeno, credit should also be given to their rivals who pushed them and brought the best out of his squad.
“Wow! It was a long season and it was tough in the league,” Pequeno reflected. “But we built a squad to get us through and importantly the boys stuck to our plan.
“Going unbeaten through the first round, I think it, was one of the biggest achievements in this league. Coming through the second round only losing two games and winning the league by 10 points was great,” he added.
Vasco had more than a two-month break between the end of the season and the playoffs which posed some challenges for Pequeno in terms of his planning and preparation.
Luckily, all’s well that ends well, as there was just no stopping Vasco from achieving their objectives.
“We obviously had to work hard and stay focused,” Pequeno further explained. “After yesterday (Saturday) we thought it would be taken out of our hands – it was taken out of our hands but Diaz Leeds did us a favour.
“Losing the final was not a big deal as we did what we came for as our mission was to get Vasco back in the ABC (second Division),” Pequeno concluded.
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY MARK WARD
