A year older and a year wiser and this time they are not here to just make up the numbers!
This is probably a subtle warning from Junction Rovers head coach Chrissando de Weber (pictured) to his rivals as he indicated that they are not going to rest on their laurels and just go through the motions in their second season in the ABC Motsepe League.
Needless to say De Webs’ side held its own in their debut season and did the business by retaining their Second Division status – in fact, the Heideveld-based side ended the second half of the season strongly with a respectable and a credible fourth position in a stream loaded with quality teams, like the defending champion FN Rangers and Hanover Park FC amongst others.,
This time round Junction has again been drawn in a tough stream along with Rangers, as well as other big guns like Grassy Park United, Hout Bay United FC and Crystal Palace, who are all loaded with quality players and coaches due to their bigger budgets.
But De Weber believes – unlike last season which was indeed a baptism of fire – they are much better prepared to further compete and ruffle more feathers against the very best in the league.
The former Cape Town Spurs player also pointed out that It helps from a coaching perspective to enjoy a less disruptive pre-season – unlike the previous campaign where some of his stalwarts were poached by other Motsepe clubs causing chaos and concern in the process.
“The players know what the league is all about and I think they have a better idea what to expect as they are a year older and wiser now,” De Weber informed No Bones with Jones. “They are hungrier and more determined to compete against the best sides. They are no longer intimidated as they can see that at the end of the day it is 11 v 11, you know.
“I think last season we were in our shell as we didn’t know what the league was all about. It’s like we were a bit in awe of the calibre of the teams and a bit nervous and I think that’s why we had a slow start to the season. We gave teams a bit too much respect – but that changes all this season as we want to go one better. We are definitely not here to make up the numbers,” he added.
De Weber and his troops have been busy behind the scenes to get ready for the league campaign after being knocked out early in the Nedbank Cup against Rangers a couple of weeks ago.
But this, on the other hand, allows De Weber more time to focus on their bread and butter which is the league. The Junction mentor indicated that he has retained the majority of the squad of last season with a few additions in the ‘Unders’ department.
“We still have one of the youngest squads and it is because I believe in them,” De Weber added. “The youngsters are our future and you must incorporate them and make them part of your group and understand that they have a role to play,” De Weber concluded.
