You’ll be excused if you cannot keep up with the success of Antalyaspor JPM Cape Town, as they are winning for fun!
They won the Coke Cup in 2024, followed by the Bayhill Premier Cup earlier this year, now the Engen KO, in between, there was also success in the inaugural Mitchells Plain Youth Cup as well as the Super Cup. So, it’s a lot to consume for a humble and modest academy where the talking gets done on the field.
Just as “Antalya” has shown in their final against archrivals Ubuntu Academy, when they won with the lottery of penalties 4-3 (1-1) at the Erica Park Sport Complex in Belhar on Sunday to complete a treble of titles.
“No words can describe what we achieved, it’s incredible,” says Antalyaspor JPM Cape Town operations manager, Sean Ferrier, to No Bones with Jones following yet another successful tournament, this time the Engen Knockout Challenge for under 18 players.
“We’ve just made history today as we became this first amateur club to win both the Bayhill Premier Cup as well as the Engen KO Challenge in the same year – and that in its own right is a fantastic achievement, you know.
“Not to mention, that about 70% of Ncaca’s current side was also part of their first Coke Cup trophy (under Booysen) in 2024. But the latter’s successor, Ncaca, has taken it to newer heights when he also led them to success in the inaugural Mitchells Youth Cup and the Super Cup as well – all this in a short space of time which has now cemented their status as “THE ACADEMY TO BEAT”
“It just speaks to the work that’s been done, the foundation that’s been laid in terms of our commitment towards amateur development and creating opportunities for players, you know,” Ferrier ruther explained.
“So, I think today we’ve just proven that we compete up there with the best. But we take nothing for granted and there is still a very long way to go. This is also tribute to the fantastic support we receive from our chairman” Ferrier concluded.
Ncaca’s side also made a cleansweep at the event when they won all the individual awards on offer.
Ncaca himself walked away with the Coach of the Tournament honours while Ayaan Jacobs bagged the Goalkeeper of the Tournament accolade. Jordan Mack was crowned as the striker of the tournament as well as the overall Player of the Tournament with three of their players being tied with the Goal Scorer of the Tournament with Mack, Lwandle Lingi and Thurston Phillips.
Antalyaspor departs for Engen’s Champs of Champs to be held from 1st October and for most of the players it will be the first time on a flight for Joburg in search of a quadruple!
Ncaca’s side also on course for a second Cup title after qualifying for the last Round of 64 of the Coke Cup following a 5-0 thrashing of Wolves last week.
