The beauty of tournament football is that nothing is guaranteed, and nothing can be taken for granted.
This is exactly what Gareth Ncaca (pictured right), head coach of Antalyaspor JPM Cape Town, has imprinted in the minds of his players for the 37th edition of the Bayhill Premier Cup which was played at the Erica park Sport Complex in Belhar.
And while many might be surprised by Antalyaspor’s heroics, Ncaca, his coaching staff and others certainly are not after they progressed to their first cup final of this Easter spectacle after beating Stellenbosch FC 5-4 during a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 after regulation time.
This is certainly no fluke as Ncaca also led his side to victory in the inaugural Mitchells Plain u.18 Youth Cup tournament last month while many of his troops have also been steeled by plying their trade in Safa Cape Town’ Third Division, also known as the Graveyard league for its ruthless and cutthroat nature. – so they were well prepared to say the least.
Ncaca and his chargers now face a former champion of 2010 in Mamelodi Sundowns in the Roger Clayton final to be played at the Athlone Stadium on Easter Monday at 15:00 after the latter dispatched Everton FC by 2-0 in the other semi.
According to Ncaca there is no magic formula for their impressive showing other than honest and hard work on training.
“Our journey started last year already and I’m just so happy that the players reap the reward for all the hard work they have put in,” Ncaca pointed out to No Bones with Jones. “But we have not achieved anything yet so we need to overcome one more hurdle,” the former Ajax Cape Town pro player added.
Ncaca knows all too well that they will have their work cut out for them against Sundowns who won this competition back in 2009.
“But we are certainly not changing our approach for them or anyone for that matter,” he further explained. “We will stick to our guns and play to our strengths,” Ncaca concluded.
Meanwhile, Houtbay United FC and Rygersdal FC will do battle in the Bruyns Plate Section Final (11:00) while Cape Town Spurs FC cross swords with Randburg AFC in the Pat Connolly Mid-Section Final scheduled for 12:30.
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY CONRAY SWAIL
