The reality of having to play Second Division football again next season for Diadora FC has by now hit home!
The club belonging to chairman Shaheed Abrahams can still hold their heads high and be really proud of themselves
Look, their 0-1 loss to eventual champions Sea Point Swifts (Hope FC) must have hurt so bad and with thoughts of “what if” and “if only” will also run through their minds which is quite understandable given what was at stake.
But in retrospect, and as motivation, and for what it’s worth, the club originally from Downberg Road street in Hanover Park, are (born) champions in their own right and here is why….
Despite the fact they were grouped in the so-called weaker stream (B), they still had to do the business on the field and they certainly did just that – and with great aplomb. So much so, that coach Zain Abrahams and his troops nearly achieved an historic feat by going through the whole season undefeated.
Only the eventual runner-up, Amaar Soccer Academy could deny them maximum points and put a blemish to their near perfect record this season, but truth be told, by then the stream was wrapped up already.
Bear in mind, this was also Diadora’s debut season in the ABC Motsepe League along with Swifts who clinched stream A over Hanover Park FC.
The latter also deserves some recognition, along with Hout Bay United FC for their respective roles to ensure an exciting and entertaining campaign.
Furthermore, Diadora remains the only club that has propelled themselves through the amateur ranks to Safa Western Cape’s third tier of South African football within a space of a couple of seasons.
Their journey started not too long ago when the club was formed in 2020 and affiliated to the Athlone LFA where they won the Premier League before eventually winning the Super League and ultimate promotion in 2023.
They also won the Third Division league in their debut season, as well as playoffs to win promotion to where they are currently. And to think they narrowly missed out on another league title at yet another first attempt, is nothing short of miraculous! Not to mention their two consecutive Coke Cup titles in 2022 and 2023,
So, their record speaks for itself, and it shows they are driven by success and aren’t mucking around, Hence, it’s understandable that they are hurting.
And knowing them, they will use this as fuel to inspire them to come with a bigger onslaught next season and get the job done! Rest assured Diadora will rise again!
As for Swifts, their fairytale journey continues when they come up against the home side from the Eastern Cape, The Ravens and Mangaung Unite from the Free State in their quest for promotion to the National First Division.
