City could win it

THE Mother City could soon be the arena for one of the most unexpected sporting achievements. Not to tempt fate, but, with Cape Town City placed so highly on the PSL standings, and playing some smart, winning football, it’s perhaps time that their championship credentials are crowed about in this neck of the woods.

Cape Town is always slow to stir when it comes to football success, probably because it has been disappointed so often in the past. But, in Citythe region has a potential title winner. Even the Cape club’s head coach, former Bafana Bafana midfielder Eric Tinkler, who has been reluctant to talk about his team’s chances, this week had no choice but to admit they were contenders.

In the City coach’s words: “In my mind, if we win against Sundowns (tonight), then we have to consider that we could be potential title winners. That is the magnitude of the fixture…” Say no more. And now we know what is stake when City host Mamelodi Sundowns, the best team on the continent, tonight.

Last year, this time, there was no Cape Town City. The club was but a restless dream in the mind of club boss John Comitis. When it all came to fruition in June, and City were established as a PSL club after relocating from Mpumalanga, the naysayers were all on the bandwagon. They were quick to predict the new club’s doom. Instead, through hard work, vision and a supremely professional squad, they’ve captured the hearts of fans across the country.

If they do pull it off, there will certainly be a touch of Leicester City in their achievement. The unfashionable English club was also given no hope of winning the Premiership, but they did so last season.

The city can only boast two league titles in the era of unified football. In 1995, Cape Town Spurs did the league and cup double and, in the 2001-2002 season, Santos surprised by going on to be crowned PSL champions. Are we about to witness another astonishing, unexpected Cape football triumph?