Quarter-finals a ‘bonus’ for Vasco, Ajax aim for the top

VASCO DA GAMA have achieved what they set out to do and can now enjoy the Nedbank Cup, irrespective of what happens from here on in.

The Parow-based National First Division club won through to the quarter-finals of the Cup competition after a 3-0 victory over Maluti FET College at Parow Park on Saturday, joining over-the-road neighbours Ajax Cape Town in today’s draw for the eight teams remaining in the event.

Ajax edged out Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 at Athlone Stadium on Friday.

The competition, like the English FA Cup, provides an opportunity for lower-tier clubs to do battle against top-flight opponents.

While Vasco have, so far, avoided any bigname sides, they are likely to meet one in the quarters. And wouldn’t it be a great occasion if the two Parow neighbours were drawn to play each other some time in the competition?

“You know what, that was our Cup final,” said Vasco coach Tony de Nobrega after the game on Saturday. “We have never progressed this far in this event… now that we have, we are ecstatic. It’s an achievement and, whatever happens now, whoever we play next, it’s a bonus.”

De Nobrega was happy with the result, especially with his side having to withstand a second-half onslaught from Free State visitors, Maluti.

“Look, it’s about taking your chances,” he said. “We went 2-0 up and then missed a few… we could have been four or five up at half-time. But we never killed them off and they came at us in the second half. We needed a bit of luck, but that’s the nature of the game. I’m just happy to be in the next stage of the competition.”

Vasco certainly have the makings of a good squad and it would be no surprise to see them pull off a surprise against a higher division opponent. In Sam Julius (on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns) and Stanley Muishond (on loan from SuperSport United), they have two young and talented footballers. The two provide the creative impetus, along with the experience of two veterans – Johnny Armogam and Aleni Lebyane – and the defensive strength of captain Nathan Gertse, Keeno Shellar and Sibusiso Mokoena.

Over at Ajax, coach Roger de Sa is hoping that this is an opportunity for him to make it to a fourth Cup final. During his stint as coach of Orlando Pirates, De Sa made it to three Cup finals.

Ajax were under the cosh against Bloem Celtic on Friday, but held on to reach the quarter-finals. If De Sa is to achieve his objective, he’s going to have to impress on his squad that they can ill-afford to nod off to sleep after scoring an early goal – other teams in the competition are likely to punish them.

“Overall I was happy with the result on Friday,” said De Sa. “We knew it was going to be tough against Celtic. I thought after we scored that we lost our shape and were not as fluid as we can be. But, when Celtic put us under great pressure, we defended well. The young boys were fantastic… it was a typical Cup match, and I’m happy to be in the next round.

“It’s far better to be playing rather than sitting at home watching the other teams continue in the competition.”