Young Idols FC head coach Kaylem Mentoor vehemently stated it is now “do or die” time at Safa Cape Town’s Third Division Playoffs.
Idols, who are affiliated with the Manenberg-LFA, drew 1-1 against Atlantis Leeds before edging out Cape Town Celtics 1-0, while they annihilated Lansur United 21-0 in their final group match to progress to the quarterfinals.
Mentoor, a league and cup champion at his LFA, now has his sights firmly set on promotion but has to overcome one of the impressive newbies, Everton United from Heideveld, to secure their spot in the last four when the knockout rounds resume this coming weekend at the Nyanga Stadium in Nyanga. The two finalists secure automatic promotion.
Mentoor, a former Ajax Cape Town player, explained to No Bones with Jones: “The closer it gets, the more we feel we can win it. We believe the confidence is there; it’s just now up to the players to deliver. But it’s not going to be easy, as Everton is an excellent team. So, I expect a great game,” he added.
Mentoor pointed out the fact that Manenberg currently does not have a club that competes in either the Third or the Second division is what motivates them to be successful. Crystal Palace last achieved this feat in 2022 with Goodwin Lewis at the helm.
“Yeah, absolutely, that is what we use to drive and inspire us also to come out on top.,” Pepza, as Mentoor is called, added. “We want to do it for our Manenberg community and especially for our young players at our club to have opportunities for them to rise and shine. I need to add that Young Idols supporters deserve it more as they stuck with us from the start. So, we can’t disappoint and will give our best, that’s for sure,” Mentoor concluded.
