CORRESPONDENT
The North vs South Derby returns in mid-December for its third instalment, first post-COVID, and once again, the CTT LFA’s coaches and administrators will pretend they are there to play football while onlookers judge, laugh and insult from the touchlines.
Scheduled for 19 December at 14h00, this year’s derby brings together the arrogance of the North and the leadership of the South in what is widely regarded as one of the most tightly contested fixtures on the local football calendar. The winner takes all. The loser pretends it was “just for fun”.
If the match actually reaches full time, it will be considered a minor miracle.
Because this derby has never really been about football.
It is about bringing together friends, foes, frenemies and full-blown rivals under one banner, using the beautiful game and the CTT LFA as a vehicle to build relationships, repair bridges, test egos and create stories that will definitely be retold with embellishment.
The line-up reads like a football soap opera.
Expect appearances from Saxon Rovers’ veteran administrator Allan Roman, widely regarded as the most learned man in any room he enters. Rieduwaan Anthony, the latest recipient of The Lifetime and Dedication award from the Mayor of Cape Town (Geordin Hill-Lewis) and whose cementing his Hanover Park FC at the top of both The Regional and Provincial leagues. Justin Asher, widely tipped by himself as a future FIFA president in an alternate universe.
On the touchline and the pitch, the star power continues. Zane Ryklief, one of the most prolific footballers to ever grace the Veteran leagues and now a star-studded coach and coaching instructor. Graham Purdy, a coach with roughly 200 league titles and counting. And retail merchandising royalty, Stanford Barron and David van der Merwe, are on hand to ensure the players lineup correctly in their specified formations.
Naturally, no North vs South derby would be complete without awkward reunions.
Anwar Gallant comes face-to-face with his former Rygersdal friends after parting ways earlier this year. Coach Rob stunned the football community by leaving Barry Petersen and Brandon Dickson to fight on at Vasco, opting instead to join Roman at Rovers. Heiny Gradwell left Wynberg St John’s to take the reins at Anthony’s Premier United, only to make a dramatic U-turn hours later when Wynberg secured the Antalyaspor JPM CT franchise.
Rosco Mazriel remains football’s great local mystery as he eyes a return to Premier League coaching. Goodie Claasen, freshly returned from a modest 75-year LFA ban, makes yet another derby appearance. Areshaat Daniels must still decide whether he shows up as Shakes or Saatjie, while Hilgard Mathys temporarily shelves his Kuils River FC administratrotpr duties to relive his playing days.
The tribe continues to grow, with an invite extended to all First Division coaches too as Shaun Permall and several fresh faces join the fold this year. Adding an air of legitimacy to the chaos, Jerome Damon has been specially flown in following his release from the FIFA Referee Committee to officiate proceedings and attempt to maintain order.
The gathering takes place at the newly renovated, multi-billion-rand Saxon Rovers Complex, where football, politics, history and humour collide in the sparkling concrete jungle at Royal Road.
Rumours of Jerome Seherie attending this year’s edition remain just that, unfounded and speculative. Much like most of the protests lodged this past season.
Spectators are welcome. A two-footed tackle on an LFA General Secretary is guaranteed. Football is optional.
Luckily, nobody will have to wait for Safa CT registration cards, and Tankiso Modipa of Safa WC will also not be able to ban anybody from taking part in this match.
North vs South Derby 19 December 14h00 Saxon Rovers Complex
