Bayhill United’s head coach Jay Visagie has dismissed claims that they could just have the edge over the newcomer Shayamoya Academy when these two go “pound for pound” in the Bayhill Premier Cup Plate Final.
This match-up will be the curtain raiser to be played at 11:00 of the Easter spectacle at the Home of Soccer, the Athlone Stadium, followed by the Mid-Section final between Young Bafana Academy and FC Porto – and of course the big one, Cape Town Spurs vs FN Rangers at 15:00.
Visagie says that they know what it takes to win at the Athlone Stadium.
“Second time round makes you more prepared and settled,” Visagie told No Bones with Jones. “I would say we are a lot wiser knowing the conditions as well. Regarding our opponents, we don’t really know much about them but we try not to focus too much on the opposition, you know.
Visagie guided Bayhill, who was considered the punching bag in the past, to their maiden success last year when they won the Mid-Section Final and completely changed their fortunes and the way the host was perceived.
This year the former Ikapa United goalkeeper has carried on where he left off ensuring that they have yet another opportunity to lift a trophy at the prestigious Easter tournament – albeit in the Losers section.
“Look, we stuck to our processes, what we do and the way we play, our style and so on,” Visagie added. “I think we peaked a bit late this time round hence we find ourselves in the Losers final, but we came good beating Ubuntu and Leeds and now we are here.
“I would say that we still use the same mantra, the same formula and hunger, passion and energy that we played with, even though it was a completely new group (of players) this year and none of them had the necessary experience, you know,” Visagie added.
According to Visagie, the club’s vision has evolved and it is all about changing the lives of the local players.
“Credit must go to our technical team and supporters for their roles in assisting the boys to bigger platforms and more opportunities,” Visagie further stated. “We are now like a conveyor belt. There has been a lot of interest in our players.
“Last season seven of our players moved to Santos in the ABC Motsepe while another two went to Young Bafana and others went to play for Crystal Palace in the Third Division,” Visagie concluded.
