Despite FN Rangers being in a “massive rebuilding” phase, nothing will deter them from staking a claim on the Nedbank Cup this season.
This reassurance comes from Rangers’ astute coach, Arreshaat Daniels, ahead of their away trip to Diadora FC in the quarterfinal clash at The Greens on Friday, which promises to be a cracker and where sparks could fly.
Daniels explained to No Bones with Jones: “The longer you compete, the better, as these cup games are rather intense. We also need to be realistic, none of us in this Nedbank Cup is going to win it, but it’s an opportunity for the players to get scouted by bigger clubs at best and perhaps pocket some cash as well.
“If you’re out of the competition, then you have to look for friendlies that give your players the same intensity as these cup games. So, we want to go as far as possible and give it our all,” Daniels concluded.
Daniels has shared his plans as he continues the rebuilding process, which started last season when the Maitland-based outfit was poor and a mere shadow of itself. Needless to say, Daniels has also delivered on his promise this time around by promoting talent from within the club.
Saatjie, as Daniels is called, has also shown his bravery when he roped in no less than seven youngsters from the Bayhill squad. They are Matiyash Domingos, Carlyle Jones, Qaseem Abdol, Luphiwo Sixazi, Kearon Thomas, Sergio Fransch and 16-year-old former Cape Town Spurs product Wahied ‘Wawa’ Wilkinson. The latter promises to be a top talent for the future.
“Yes, it’s been one hell of a rebuild, but this time around, we had more time with prepping the next crop of players from within the club,” Daniels stated.
“The only way they will grow is to expose them early on already and you also have to trust the process,” he added.
Daniels and his lieutenants, such as Shaun (Jigs) Oliver, are wily old foxes and will be wary of the threat Diadora poses, even though they are newcomers to the Motsepe League
“They are well organised and structured and not to be taken lightly,” Daniels pointed out. “They have been doing well in the early stages and have a youthful look to their squad and the game should be well balanced as each club is trying to find their best possible starting lineups as we head into a very challenging season,” he added.
