Cape sides dream big... with PSL status the coveted prize
NFD clubs bring in new coaches, exciting talent and overseas expertise to boost campaigns
COULD this be the season? It’s no secret the Mother City is desperate to have another team competing in the top-flight Premier Soccer League (PSL). And, when the National First Division (NFD) season kicks off this weekend, there will be five Cape-based teams – Vasco da Gama, Cape Town All Stars, Santos, Milano United and FC Cape Town – striving to do just that.
Since the relegation of Vasco da Gama and Santos from the PSL, and the relocation of Chippa United to Port Elizabeth, Ajax Cape Town have been left to fight a lone battle on behalf of the city. In recent seasons, Milano and All Stars have been there and thereabouts, but never quite achieved the soughtafter goal of promotion.
Every season, there is hope – and every season there is disappointment.
This campaign, though, there appears to be a definite mood of optimism among the five NFD clubs. Four of them have appointed new coaches, sponsors have been roped in, squads have been strengthened, and big, bold promises have been made.
Let’s see if the promotion dream can come to fruition this season.
We have a closer look at the five Cape hopefuls:
VASCO DA GAMA
THE Parow-based club made its intentions known last season already when businessman Mario Ferreira took charge of the club. Also a majority shareholder in Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes, Ferreira quickly set about placing the club on track with his vision. Coaches and officials have already been on trips to Portugal to see how he wants things done.
This season, Vasco continued the process, making another statement of intent by appointing former Bafana Bafana defender Edries Burton chief operations officer.
Tony de Nobrega stays on as coach, but he has been given a new assistant in former Moroka Swallows striker Noel Cousins. New players include Ugandan Ntambi Kirizstom, Botswana striker Omaatla Kebatho and defender Siphesihle Stuurman.
CAPE TOWN ALL STARS
THE Gugulethu-based club finished best of the Cape NFD sides last season – and they are eager to build on that. The previous campaign was spearheaded by coach Boebie Solomons, who has since left to join neighbours Milano United.
In his place, All Stars have appointed former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns defender Dan Malesela, a promising young coach who is eager to make a mark.
In All Stars, Malesela may just have the perfect vehicle for his ambitions. A player to watch this season is the highly-rated Thembinkosi Lorch. The tricky midfielder was signed by Orlando Pirates from Maluti FET College this season, but has been loaned to All Stars to further his development.
SANTOS
THE Lansdowne-based club has a new man in charge in the form of Zeca Marques.
The former Moroka Swallows coach has long been on club chairman Goolam Allie’s radar – and, now that he has got his man, Santos believe they can slowly start to get the club back on track.
Last season was one of the worst in the NFD for the former PSL club, with Marques tasked with awakening the sleeping giant.
The loss of star player Fagrie Lakay, however, is a big blow. The Bafana Bafana teenager signed for SuperSport United this month – and Marques’ top priority is to prevent the loss from affecting the squad.
MILANO UNITED
THE Grassy Park-based club has probably been the most unfortunate Cape NFD side over the last few seasons. They always promise much, are right in there with a shot at promotion, and then fall away towards the end of the campaign.
To ensure that this doesn’t happen again, Milano appointed Boebie Solomons as coach. The experienced Solomons knows his way around the NFD and knows what it takes to win promotion (having done so with Wits) – and Milano believe he is the coach to inspire them to the PSL.
Talented young defender Junaid Sait (son of former Santos and Pirates midfielder Kamaal Sait) has returned to the club after a spell with Falkenbergs in Sweden, and Milano have also signed Greg Roelf, Ebrahim Seedat, Morne Davids and Coldrin Coetzee.
Roelf is a former Santos striker, Coetzee played for Platinum Stars in the PSL last season and Seedat has played for Lokeren in Belgium and Degerfors in Sweden.
FC CAPE TOWN
THE Parow-based club last week unveiled its bold vision and big plans. While the project it has embarked upon has, as its main focus, a development agenda, FC Cape Town believe that PSL promotion will be part of the package. The club has revamped its technical staff, with Dutchman Pieter de Jongh as head coach, former Kaizer Chiefs, Hellenic and Santos midfielder Robert Nauseb as assistant-coach, ex-Santos goalkeeper Andre Bronkhorst as goalkeeper-coach and Craig Rosslee as technical director.
De Jongh has kept his objectives modest for this season, targeting a top-eight finish, but has emphasised that he wants to take FC Cape Town to the PSL in three years’ time.