The proverbial third time lucky struck for Clover FC when they finally won promotion to the Hollywoodbets Third Division for 2024.
The Philippi-based club beat Kalawa (3-0) at the Rooikrans Sports Complex on Sunday in first semi-final of Safa Cape Town’s Third Division playoff campaign to achieve this historic feat – in doing so they become the first club from the Mandalay LFA to play Third Division football.
The club’s chairman Songezo Ndyoko highlighted that his players deserve all the praise and credit as they never became despondent or lost sight of the objectives since he established the club in 2009.
“I’m just so proud of my boys. We tried three times but we never gave up. Instead, we got stronger every time,” Ndyoko explains.
“All my players come from the junior structures of Clover FC and we got promoted with amateur LFA level players.
“We accommodate boys from disadvantaged townships like Lower Crossroads, to hopefully help alleviate crime in that area. There is just so much talent in this area,” the boss added.
Ndyoko, who also happens to be the president of the LFA for the previous two years, emphasized that Clover’s success is just as much the LFA’s due to their backing over the years.
“Let me also take this opportunity to thank Mandalay LFA for its support. This one is not a Clover win but a collective win for the Mandalay LFA as well.
“A great deal of thanks to my technical team, from not only ensuring that they are there but the impact they have made in planting this seed that today blossomed into a full-blown flower.”
Meanwhile, his coach, Luyolo Malangeni, indicated that their success will hopefully serve as a platform and create more opportunities for local talent in the area.
“We pray this will open doors and bring hope to the young boys who would like to have a career in football, especially in the black communities.
“We have been winning the league in previous seasons but kept falling short at the playoffs. Now we are so happy with the reward of our hard work and sacrifices.”
“Special thanks to our management and technical team and our families and not forgetting our communities, this is for them,” Malangeni concluded.
