No opposition or rival member is closer to FN Rangers than Hanover Parks FC’s co-coach Mark Faro.
Perhaps Pikkie, as Faro is better known, will raise a few eyebrows after his assessment of the ABC Motsepe League favourites in Stream A following their 0-0 draw at the Royal Road over the weekend.
Needless to say, the Brasse Vannie Park became the first side after nine matches to take points of Arreshaat Daniels’ Rangers who are just a cut above the rest with an unblemished record prior to the draw at home over the weekend.
Rangers (28 points) currently enjoy a five-point gap over Hanover Park (23) with the latter having played one game more than the pacesetters from Maitland.
Faro pointed out that despite things looking “done and dusted from the outside” for Rangers it is never over until the fat lady sings with six matches to play.
“The weekend I could see they are stressed out,” Faroe told No Bones with Jones. “I am very close with them because my son plays there. I take him to training and I touch base with the guys. I also played over 35 at the club and I know their weaknesses and strengths. Anyone from the outside will say they can’t drop it now including myself.
“If they drop it then I think it will be the last straw for coach Saatjie because from here on you can’t drop it, there is just no way. It is all theirs…we had to beat them on Saturday to have had an outside chance
“But six games are six games. If they draw against Ikapa on Friday and then? What do you say then? Everyone will say ‘Ja, it’s done and dusted because they are on a good run but this weekend you could see there are some cracks and definitely not smooth sailing,” Faro added.
The former Jamestown United coach pointed out that he made it clear to the players there’s still a lot to play for in their remaining five games against Royal Blues (away), Young Bafana (home), Santos, Ikapa (both away) and Junction Rovers (home).
“Really there is a lot in my view! I just explained to them over the weekend that I was involved in the playoffs many times – with Hanover Park and as a coach. The thing for me is that when that last day comes and then you’ll know. But up until then if they don’t accumulate the points that they need we are still in the race and they will be worried about us and will be looking over their shoulder the whole time.
Faro maintains that despite Rangers’ impeccable record over Hanover Park, they were lucky to beat them during a first-round clash at the Downberg Road field.
“I told them that,” Faro added. “We totally outplayed them but a lapse of concentration cost us in the end, you know. But that is football – concentration, concentration and concentration, if you don’t then they punish you.
“I think even if they drop points this coming weekend they will still feel it’s theirs and that’s all in the mind but like I said the weekend – you could see they look weak,” Faro concluded.
