Soccer has entered its “silly season” again, where statuses, franchises, coaches and players get prostituted left, right and centre – and where the highest bidder is always favourite to prevail.
One must add that the amount of money floating around in the amateur space, especially in the ABC Motsepe League Second Division, is mind boggling. So much so, that it is now dubbed as a semi-pro tier due to the fact that clubs spend hundreds of thousands of rands while other “A-listers” have healthier budgets of R1 million and more as operational costs.
Hope FC will be the first to testify how financially draining it was and that they got a reality check en route to their promotion success in their debut season. But in hindsight it’s money well spent. Not that the season campaigners are not aware of this.
Meanwhile, Motsepe League teams like Young Bafana, are playing open cards after they publicly advertised their vacant head coach position after Msekeli Mvalo (pictured) was scooped up by Tuks to assist Michael Loftman, while other clubs like Santos and Hanover Park, are keeping their cards close to their respective chests as to who will be calling the shots at their clubs.
No Bones with Jones understands that Inter City, who has already unveiled Bradley August as their head coach, is up and running with what one can call a pre-pre-season and are in the process of assessing some trialists from clubs like Junction Rovers.
Our website also understands that Hanover Park has secured the signing of former marquee players like Taurieq Dien and Samsodien May for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, the 2024/’25 champions, FN Rangers, have operated rather low-key since they were knocked off their perch. So, their humility is understandable.
Besides, coach Arreshaat Daniels is in a rebuilding phase and it’s just a matter of time before they find their mojo again. So, write them off at your own peril!
It will also be interesting to see if Grassy Park United’s big boss, Zahier Witbooi, will stick with the tried and tested Mangaliso “Shakes” Ntombana – or will Witbooi bring in someone new like Andrew Pequeno.
Pequeno, a serial winner of a coach, has parted ways with Vasco da Gama after RKDG sold its Second Division status to Saxon Rovers, who in turn sold their Third Division status to D6 Academy from Mitchells Plain.
Pequeno is currently assisting Montagu Spurs’ LFA side at Cape District, but rest assured, he should be available when the Motsepe League commences.
Pequeno’s former neighbours and rivals Cape Town Spurs will do themselves no harm to persist with former Bafana Bafana defender Nasief Morris, who gave a good account of themselves last season, but faded when it mattered most.
One thing is clear, Morris has amassed a solid squad that has what it takes to go all the way; it just depends on their attitude, mindset and how hungry they are.
Another coach expected to carry on building where he left off is Ikapa Sporting’s Zane Ryklief. The Caf A-licensed had a rather disruptive start to their previous campaign after taking over Zizwe United’s status.
Ikapa scrambled heavily and one could sympathise with them to a certain extent, and they barely retained their status and ended in the 13th position out of 16 teams. Therefore, one can sympathise with him to a certain extent for their woes last season. However, going forward there should be no excuses!
Another coach that will be eager to impress is Seaside Spurs’ new mentor, Ashraf Calvert who is back in the Motsepe League after an absence of a couple of seasons. Spurs have also retained the services of the experienced Damian Basadien, “Duimpie” Basadien is called, who has not moved to Greenwood Athletic as earlier confirmed by their chairman Noel Isaacs.
It’s expected that Calvert, who has a fantastic track record and also the ability to further develop young talent, will be integrating some of the young blood of their u.18 Coke Cup side with the season campaigners to ensure that the players get rewarded for their efforts.
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