It’s their common passion and love for the beautiful game, as well as a similar vision, that allows for FC Tafelzucht’s father and son(s) combination of coach Oswald Sauls and sons Yaseen Hartley (pictured) and Luke Sauls, to flourish!
Dad Sauls, with the help of the ‘Zucht Force’ (the loyal and passionate fans) are not only turning their lemons into lemonade as they have shown when they won the league and cup double at the Mitchells Plain LFA, but also bringing out the best in his two sons who play under him.
Sauls’ younger son Hartley arrived at Tafelzucht halfway through the season due to Motsepe League commitments and he has already raked up 11 goals of which four in the cup.
His exploits did not go unnoticed as the 23-year-old midfielder has been voted as the Coke Cup’s Player of the Round (quarterfinal) for his match winning performances for his dad. They now face Saxon Rovers in the semifinal at the Westridge Sport Complex on Sunday.
However, as with any family dynamic in football and sport, it comes with its own set of challenges and demands – and Hartley is all too aware of this.
Hartley explained: “It may sound “lekka” like they say because your dad’s the coach now and that you’ll always be in play. But meanwhile it’s not …. It’s like he’s waiting for me to make a mistake or something so that he can have a go at me, eish! But honestly speaking I’m grateful for him as a dad and most importantly the amazing team I have.”
Hartley, who never made his debut for Ajax as he was only selected for match day squads, is also very versatile and can play in any position – even goalkeeper.
“That’s why I had to play this position in two of our cup games, dad’s orders, you know,” Hartley started with a chuckle. “He takes advantage, but it’s okay as long as I play I’m good,” Hartley concluded.
Spare a thought for Sauls who has another son, Luke Sauls, which he needs to keep ‘happy’ as well. The 32-year-old Luke, also a product of Ajax, is equally as versatile and can play in both defence and attack. Luke admitted that expectations are much higher on having a dad as coach.
“Firstly, for me it’s not always easy playing under my dad because you as his son need to always stand out and give it your all because supporters will hammer on him if I don’t deliver, but ja, my dad is a great coach,” Luke explained. “I believe he can go higher, not because he is my dad, but because he is like a dad to his players, on and off the field and I personally have never seen a person so passionate for the game – he just loves football,” Luke added.
“Regarding playing with my younger brother, it is something I didn’t dream of. He is a brilliant player that can reach the top easily, but sometimes things don’t always go as we want it to, so for me it’s an awesome experience to share this moment with my brother and dad and mostly my team FC Tafezucht, we not just a team we brothers (family),” Luke concluded.
Meanwhile his father/coach said that Luke’s aerial ability and composure on the ball was also one of the reasons why his side outscored all the other teams.
“I’m so blessed and fortunate to be on this journey with my sons and the people of Tafelsig who do a lot in the community,” Sauls added.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
