Win or lose…
One thing is certain, FN Rangers head coach, Arreshaat Daniels, is a straight shooter and makes no bones about his team’s performances – and is always willing to give an honest assessment.
Daniels’ Rangers has been a far cry from previous seasons and has now picked up an unwanted record of three consecutive losses against Sea Point Swifts (0-1), Hanover Park FC (0-2) and Cape Town Spurs (1-2) at Ikamva over the weekend.
This is very uncharacteristic of the 2024 champion, but then again, they were drawn in Stream A’s ‘Group of Death’ where several top teams are vying for the top spot.
Saatjie, as Daniels is called, explained to No Bones with Jones. “Look, at the moment we’re going through a bit of a slump. We’re a very young side and the consistency in performances isn’t there, which is why the confidence levels are also a bit low,” he added.
Despite this poor run of form and results, the Maitland-based side is still very much in the hunt in third position on 19 points after 10 matches, breathing down the necks of log leaders Hout Bay United FC (23) and second placed Sea Point Swifts (Hope FC).
Saatjie is aware that nothing will be given to them on a plate as most teams have invested heavily to attain success – especially a side like Andrew Pequeno’s Vasco, who they face at their Royal Road fortress, which was already breached comfortably this season by die Brasse Vannie Park.
“Look, I have faith in these boys to turn things around as there’s still lots to play for as we approach the end of the first round,” Daniels pointed out.
“Every game is like a cup final as we go into the final stretch and the team that takes its chances consistently over this period will be up there come the last game of the season in our stream,” the old guard concluded.
