It’s the battle between the Shakes’ – FN Rangers’ Arrehsaat Daniels (pictured left) and Grassy Park United’s Mangaliso Ntombana (pictured right).
It remains to be seen how this battle will unfold – either a Helter Skelter affair or perhaps a cagey and tactical display when these two sides square up in the quarterfinal of the Regional Nedbank Cup competition at the Royal Road Sports Complex in Maitland on Saturday.
It just so happens that this duo are two of the most decorated and highly-rated coaches in Cape Town and their track records speak for themselves. And the respect they have for each other is admirable.
Saatjie or Shakes as Daniels is commonly called, lost out to Maties FC last season in the final of this David vs Goliath cup competition and would probably want to go one further – although this competition is not their be-all and end-all compared to their bread and butter, the Motsepe League.
That said Daniels’ Rangers went on to clinch their maiden Second Division league title as they have just been a cut above the rest.
Daniels, who’s seen it all during his tenure downplayed this match-up saying in football it’s never about the coaches.
“It’s about the players and how much they want it,” Daniels told No Bones with Jones. “As said before we are using these Nedbank games to rebuild the squad. To integrate the new players to our philosophy at the club and objective for the season ahead.
“Our aim is to be best prepared for when the league kicks off as it will be an extremely difficult task to replicate what we achieved last season. However, we’re up for the challenge that lies ahead,” Daniels added.
Daniels had nothing but high praise for his counterpart of Grassy Park adding they need to show them the respect they deserve.
“Shakes is a household name within the local game and is much respected. His eye for talent and developing that raw talent is commendable. We won’t underestimate the opposition one bit
“They had the privilege to watch our game last week and would feel rather confident going into this game. We’ll prepare as best we can and give a good account of ourselves.”
Meanwhile Ntombaba described Daniels as a role figure for him due to his fantastic work with Rangers over the last decade or so.
“Saatjie is a winner and I look up to him,” Ntombaba acknowledged. “As a coach you would want to be like him, you know. It gives us that thing that we want to compete with him as he brings the best out of you as well. Rubbing shoulders with guys like him on the touchline is fantastic.
“So, when you play Saatjie you play against a winner that wants to win at all times. He is a league champ and for how many years has he been doing so well with Rangers, you know. When you play Rangers its like you playing Cape Town Spurs you know,”
