With history beckoning – a place in the quarterfinal – for Vasco da Gama in the lucrative Nedbank Cup, it’s understandable that its head coach, Andrew Pequeno (pictured), is leaving nothing to chance!
It must also be highlighted that the team for Parow Park has quite a number of Muslim players that are fasting as they are observing the month of Ramadan and according to Pequeno this is his biggest challenge.
“We are looking at potential 35–40-degree heat in Upington and with my players fasting…. that’s the first challenge for us, so yeah, it’s noy going to be easy,” Pequeno stated to No Bones with Jones. “And may I add that I left that decision up to them. I backed them last year so I’ll do it again.
“We played four, five games during (Ramadan) also in hot weather. I remember we played (FN) Rangers at Vasco and it was like 38 (degrees) that day and the guys did well and held out but you know this time round it’s different circumstances now as it’s going to be dryer but they (players) has given me the confidence they’ll be okay and I back them,” Pequeno stated.
As you are reading this, Pequeno and his boys have endured a short flight to Bloemfontein plus another 5-hour bus journey after leaving from Cape Town on Friday en route to the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium where fellow ABC Motsepe League rivals Jacksa Spears await.
Spears FC is a club based in Magareng, Northern Cape, and harbours the very same ambitions as their Western Cape rivals – hence Pequeno vehemently stated he is underestimating no one, knowing fully that the Cape’s hope and dreams rest on their shoulders.
“Look, they also made it through, and we are going to be away and you know what the conditions are like in Upington,” Pequeno pointed out to No Bones with Jones. “So, yeah, it’s going to be a real challenge. Listen, I couldn’t say that I’m unhappy with the draw, it is just that we can’t underestimate them.
“I think we got a good opportunity to get through to the quarterfinal, obviously it’s a better chance to get through than if we had to play a PSL side, but they also can say the same, so it is going to be tough,” the Vasco-mentor concluded.
Meanwhile, this David and Goliath cup competition is living up to its reputation after Casric Stars stunned Pirates 5-4 on penalties (0-0) while TS Galaxy also humbled the star-studded Mamelodi Sundowns by 2-0.
Vasco already showed their intent in this competition when they brushed aside Luthuli Brigades by 4-1 and hopefully they can repeat that performance against Spears.
