Gwappie Esau, head coach of Everton United, has laid down the gauntlet and is on a mission to bring back the glory days.
In the past, he had to watch teams like Young Pirates who represented the Heideveld LFA with great aplomb at the playoffs – and Esau is confident now is their time.
This comes after Esau guided the Heideveld-based outfit to a fifth league title in 15 years and now carries the hopes of their community at Safa CT’s Third Division Playoffs, which starts on the 25th October and played across two venues, The Greens in Manenberg and Grassy Park’s Rooikrans Sport Complex.
Now, Esau, aka ‘Baksteen Boy’, knows all too well in the back of his mind that his club’s representation at the Third Division Playoffs has been far and few between. In fact, this will be Everton’s first appearance since 2015, which drives home Esau’s desire to put Everton back on the map.
“We have been bad at play-offs,” Esau acknowledged to No Bones with Jones. “But we are much better prepared in all departments this time round. We have a focused and mature team to represent the people of Heideveld with pride.”We have a very well-balanced team of young and experienced players. It’s been my sole mandate to return to the club as coach and restore the glory days,” he added.
Everton is in Group E with Athletico United, UWC and Two for Joy.
Esau explained: “My take is that there is no easy group in the playoffs. Every team participating has earned its place by winning its respective LFA league and carries the pride of its respective community into every match, like the 12th man. One has to respect that. As Everton United, we take it one game at a time. The players know what’s at stake and are ready to give it their all,” Esau concluded.
