If my memory serves me correctly, the last time Arreshaat Daniels and his FN Rangers had challenges with their bus they were traveling with to a Playoff campaign, they won promotion (from third division to second).
This comes after the Western Cape second Division champion initially had some issues with its transport on its way to the playoffs held at the Mxolisi Dick Jacobs Stadium in Upington from 17-23 June.
But Daniels is street smart – not the superstitious type and has dismissed this scenario that it could again be a lucky omen.
According to ‘Saatjie’ as Daniels is known, his players are “in the zone” and itching to go as the ABC Motsepe Champions enter unchartered territory at the playoffs for the National First Division.
The playoffs officially kick off on 19 June with the host from the Northern Cape NC Pros squaring up to Kruger United from Mpumalanga.
Saatjie, who decided to leave a week earlier for Upington to allow his players to settle and acclimatise, stated that their first training session on Friday went really well.
“The boys are getting comfortable with their new surroundings and schedule,” Daniels told No Bones with Jones. “The weather has also been good thus far. We are training at noon and the boys are looking forward to the experience of training that time of the day,” Daniels added.
Rangers only officially start their campaign on June 19 against the champions from Limpopo, Mpheni Home Defenders.
By then they would have had a better idea of what type of trickery will be needed to foil Defenders. Apart from this Daniels has already received some intel about his opponents.
Well, we had a look at some clips to see what they have to offer,” Daniels explained. “We are going through that in preparation for our game as well. Our focus is only on game one and judging by the boys, they are in the zone,” the Rangers-mentor concluded.
Photos supplied by CONRAY SWAIL
