For a newcomer to the ABC Motsepe League Second Division, Ammar Football Academy deserves some praise and recognition for the way they are going about their business in this so-called ‘semi-pro’ league.
Mind you, at one stage during the season, Ammar even topped the log in Stream B over the current leader, Diadora FC.
Now, everyone knows that Stream B is a bit less competitive in relation to Stream A, however it involves and requires way more travelling which increases the financial burden.
So, it appears that the club’s logistical and nomadic manner in which their operate, ha been their biggest challenge as they are based and practices in Mowbray and plays their home matches in Paarl’s Mbekweni Stadium which makes their sixth position in their debut season last year something to be proud of.
This season, Ammar seem to have built on last season’s performance as they impressively placed in the second position – only three points off Diadora with the latter having played a game less.
At the heart of the operation and the so-called brain trust of Ammar is a young and ambitious coach in Jayrod Visagie (pictured right) who, along with Malunga Siyaka (pictured left), is doing the “co-head coach” approach.
Visagie is a well-respected figure in the local football scene as he was also a former Ikapa Sporting goalkeeper as well as head coach at Santos.
‘Jay’ as Visagie is referred to, has also written his name in Bayhill United’s record books when he became the first coach to taste success with the host club of the Premier Cup, since the inception of this Easter spectacle, when he won the lose
According to Visagie there is no secret formula between the coaches beside the “mutual respect for each other’s craft.”
“I’m more of the senior one as I have extensive coaching experience in the league, but we work together well, we click like a glove and we learn from each other,” Visagie pointed out to No Bones with Jones. “Look, we both share the same values and aspirations, and I think as long as there is also mutual respect, there should not be a problem.”
The former Santos head coach was also reluctant to divulge their title prospects to challenge Diadora for the stream honours.
“There’s still a long way to go, so there’s no need for us to get excited as nothing is achieved. But, we as the coaching staff appreciate the efforts from the players and our management higher up. Their vision is to add value and so far we are on the right track,” Visagie concluded.
