Patience is truly a virtue… and it just goes to show what is meant to be, shall be.
Not too long ago Rock-A-Fellas’ under-18 outfit felt an injustice was done unto them and that they were handed a raw deal during last season’s Coke Cup competition.
The Mitchell Plain side was two matches away from a historic maiden Coke Cup final, but as fate would have it, it wasn’t to be due to a technicality.
Rock-A-Fellas were left to lick their wounds after a DC of Safa CT ruled in favour of their rivals, Rebels FC – and to their credit, they did not rock the boat and took it on the chin and moved on as they felt it was no use crying over spilt milk – which was very admirable to say the least.
A couple of months down the line, the soccer gods rewarded them with a bigger achievement, a place amongst the 32 teams who have qualified for the Bayhill Premier Cup – the biggest youth spectacle on the African continent, if not the world – and this time round no one can take it away from them.
This is also after a six-year drought as they last participated in the Bayhill Cup in 2019.
And irrespective if they get bundled out in the group stages, just making it through to the Easter weekend spectacle in Belhar, is a success on its own.
And yes, they did not have to qualify for the Bayhill finals via the rigorous playoff campaign which is four months long, but gained automatic qualification as League winners of the Mitchells Plain LFA – thanks to the hard work and fortitude of their coaching staff of head coach Ishaam Johnson and his assistant, Riaan Johnson.
Riaan explained: “Firstly, I take my hat off to the boys and everyone that was involved to have qualified as league winners. They have made us proud and deserve to be there.”
Rock-A-Fellas are drawn in Group C with fellow Cape rivals, Safa Cape Town Academy whom they play in their opening match on Wednesday (16 April), along with Shayamoya Academy and Amazulu FC.
According to Riaan, they will not be intimidated in any way, especially after quite a lengthy absence from this tournament.
“It’s tournament football and anything can happen on the day, it is a case of who wants it more so we won’t stand back for any club or academy,” he added.
Furthermore, Johnson and Johnson did not rest on their laurels once they secured their participation in the Bayhill, in fact they went the extra mile to ensure that no stone is left unturned in their quest.
Riaan explained: “Look, unfortunately, we did not have the luxury of tournament football like with the playoffs where the players could get accustomed to… but what we did was to host trials, you know.
“We also decided to open it up for players from outside our club as well in order to give us a better chance of making an impact at the event.
“And I must add that we could bring in some fantastic talent from the trials we had. I’m not saying these additions are the cream of the crop of Mitchells Plain, but they have proven to us that they deserve to be there,” Riaan concluded.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
