Even though there are no expectations or pressure on Crystal Palace to win their stream (A) in their debut season in the ABC Motsepe League campaign, nothing will deter them from giving log leaders Zizwe United a run for their money.
So says their veteran captain, Clayton Daniels (pictured), following an impressive showing from the second division newbies who currently occupy the second position on the log – three points off Zizwe (28 points) who have played a game less than their main rivals.
It is with this in mind that 40-year-old Daniels feels they should not be written off, referring to talks already doing the rounds that Zizwe will emerge as the stream winners.
“A lot can still happen,” Daniels told No Bones with Jones. “I’ve learnt that football is not over until you’ve finished your last game as there are teams in the league that you play against for the first time and now you know what to expect in the second round. And the same goes for the teams we are up against.
“The second round just began, so, still a lot of football to be played but we take it game by game. There is a big one the weekend with the derby, so we are excited to be part of this moment and we are going for a positive result so we stay in the pack and keep the pressure on Zizwe,” the former Bafana Bafana defender added.
The Manenberg-based side, coached by the former Bafana Bafana player Bradley August and another old wily fox, in Peter Kirsten, have managed to transform Palace into a complete unit in a short space of time. Their record thus far is equally as impressive having played 12 games, won seven, four three and only lost one match against Zizwe during a first-round clash in Gugulethu.
Daniels believes this is down to the experience of well-travelled coaches such as August and Kirsten.
“Yeah, it’s been a decent first round for us as a new team in the league with a lot of young players from Manenberg,” Daniels further explained. “This is very positive for the community so I think we are on the right track. Let’s be realistic, there is obviously no pressure on us to win the league in our first season given that we are giving local boys from the community the opportunity to play and compete at this level so they can reach the level beyond gangsterism and drugs.
“I think we can be very positive about our season so far as we have coaches that have been there and done it in this league. They know very well we have a community that is slowly growing in numbers at our games – supporting us and that is the change you want to see in football.
“It is not always about winning – but winning does bring positives and I’m glad I can be part of this project. That was my vision when I joined this club so for me as a captain, so far so good,” Daniels concluded.
Palace play Junction Rovers next in Heideveld in what is deemed a derby so one can expect that sparks will fly, and no love will be lost!
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY: SOFTLIFE CAPTURED
