There seems to be ‘trouble’ in paradise, Parow Park, home of ABC Motsepe League side Vasco da Gama to be exact following claims that its head coach Andrew Pequeno is guilty of alleged favouritism.
No Bones with Jones was approached with alleged rumours that a player exodus is on the cards due to the fact that certain players – the ones Pequeno himself brought – are getting preferential treatment while those players who got the team to where it is currently, gets the cold shoulder apparently.
It was further alleged that those players who opened their mouths and spoke their minds, get dealt with like Liam April and more to follow during the transfer window apparently.
Meanwhile Pequeno, one of the standout local coaches with a successful track record, has hit back at his critics when he vehemently stated that he is not in the job for a popularity contest, but rather for his capabilities as a football coach.
‘I’ve been hired by the club to do a job and that is exactly what I am trying to do to the best of my ability,” Pequeno told No Bones with Jones. I feel in any squad there will be unhappiness by players who are not selected or get gametime.
”We brought in players to improve us and take the squad to the next level. I do not have favourites, we as a technical team select the best squad to win on any GameDay. I am not here to be popular, I am here to get results for my club and nothing else.”
Pequeno further explained: ”This ABC league is not like the LFA where you can experiment and please everyone with gametime. We knew at the end of last season we had to strengthen the squad to compete and we had to do that. As for the Liam April allegation, he asked for his clearance, I did not tell him to leave.
”Players vent their frustrations in many different ways but I still respect him as a player and as a person. We are moving forward as a squad that is united and committed to finish the season as high up as possible in our stream,” the Vasco-mentor added.
Whether you love him or not, one cannot deny Pequeno’s influence and impact he has had at the club since his arrival two seasons ago. Needless to say, he has put Vasco back on the map just in a short space of time – just as he did with his former Hanover Park FC club – also not to undermine those who has laid the platform before Pequeno’s arrival
Let’s also not forget Vasco’s fairytale run in the Nedbank Cup which came to a rather embarrassing end following a 7-0 drubbing by TS Galaxy in the Round of Last 32 on Wednesday evening.
Pequeno, a multiple winner of the Hollywoodbets Third Division guided his side to a 2-2 draw against the start-studded and high-flying Crystal Palace at Parow Park over the weekend to continue their solid display in their debut season in the second division.
