Grassy Park head coach Mangaliso Ntombana has vehemently dismissed claims that they are favourites to win Stream B of the ABC Motsepe League.
Ntombana, who is celebrating his 40th birthday today (Monday), said he was pretty chuffed to receive an early birthday gift when his GP outfit conquered the stream favourites Maties FC by 3-1 at their Lentulus home ground over the weekend. .
“First, our aim was to fight relegation and make sure our status is saved,” Ntombana said to No Bones with Jones. “Remember Grassy Park is not a paying team, we just give exposure to those in need and an opportunity for them to showcase their talent. The (young) players deserved all the credit for their hard work and commitment.”
With three games to go (Batalions FC, Zizwe United and Oriented Birds) Grassy Park (27 points) has a three-point lead over second placed Clarewood JPM (24) followed by he Maties (22). Both Clarewood and Maties have played a game less than GP.
Ntombana said despite the fact that they are leading the pack, clubs like Maties, Clarewood and even Hout Bay United FC should also be considered as title favourites.
“We are not getting ahead of ourselves and we are not favourites,” Ntombana added. “We are just taking it one game at a time and anything can happen. We need to remain humble. It’s going down to the wire,” the GP coach added.
Should Ntombana get this one over the line they in the remaining three weeks, they will face a rampant FN Rangers under the tutelage of the experienced Arreshaat Daniels.
Rangers, who are the only undefeated side from both streams, have been a cut above the rest and deservedly so.
The irony is that both these coaches are called ‘Shakes’ and it will be interesting to see who will be shaking who?
