The resumption of the Hollywoodbets Third Division campaign – following the Festive break – could not have dished up a more sumptuous fixture for 2024 – a top-of-the-table clash between log leaders Cape Town City and second-placed Vasco da Gama.
Rest assured that City’s Malta Park astroturf home ground is expected to be jam-packed when this humdinger kicks off at 13:00 on Sunday.
With one point separating these two pacesetters in this ‘graveyard’ league, soccer lovers can expect not only a tactical affair but a quality one where no love will be lost and sparks could fly.
As much as City’s coach Byron Cottle envisaged maximum points from their home tie to extend their lead at the top, the visitors from Parow, Vasco, will be the first to remind Cottle that they are the only outfit with an unblemished record with no defeats after nine matches.
Needless to say Vasco’s astute coach Andrew Pequeno, who won this league with Hanover Park a couple of seasons ago, will be civil, knowing all too well that a smash-and-grab victory could be a massive psychological boost for his team.
The experienced Pequeno, who has been hard at work the previous two weeks, however, has cited that getting a positive result at Malta Park is one of the biggest challenges for any club in this league.
“There are still 24 games to go after this game so it is by no means a be-all and end-all game,” Pequeno told No Bones with Jones. “Coach Byron Cottle is a top coach and his team is well-drilled and extremely fit so we know that getting a result at Malta Park will not be easy. So, we have put extra emphasis the last two weeks on certain aspects of our game to ensure that we play to our strengths and not focus too much on the opposition.
“My boys are ready and I am sure that the crowd will be entertained with good football as both teams like to play exciting and forward-thinking football. I am looking forward to Sunday. We are prepared for Sunday’s challenge against a very good Cape Town City team and my players are well aware of what lies ahead,” Pequeno added.
Meanwhile his counterpart from City, Cottle, diplomatically stated that Sunday’s encounter is “a nice one to start the new year.”
Cottle explained to No Bones with Jones: “I don’t think there’s much pressure on us going into the game on Sunday, remember, our objective and mandate is not to win the league, but more to develop and promote our players into the first team and Diski. I feel we have made progress in that regard as three of our RTD boys have been called up to the Diski team for their fixture on Sunday for the first time as our Diski team plays on Sunday at 10 am.”
Cottle has passed the buck adding that it will be the visitors from the Northern Suburbs who will be more anxious to get a positive result.
“I feel more is at stake for Vasco as they are a team who are pushing to win the league this season, so I would guess that pressure is more on them. They could go above us by two points should they win on Sunday. Hence, they will come out to compete with everything they have. Bear in mind that the season is still a foetus, with lots of games left to play.
With us on the other hand, we are just blessed to be leading the pack with all the hard work these boys have put in at training and matches. Being top is a reward for that, and our players deserve it,” Cottle concluded.
Fridays results:
Goal50 United 2, Seaside Spurs 1
Greenwood Athletic 1, Saxon Rovers 3
JL Zwane 1, Premier United 1
