Winning spirit

AT THE start of the last16 stage of local soccer’s Nedbank Cup, the Cape still had four teams in the competition. Two of those have now been eliminated: Steenberg and Stellenbosch. A third, Cape Town City, face perennial giants Orlando Pirates in a mouth-watering clash in the city on Wednesday.

But there is much excitement in the camp of the fourth local team taking a stab at the premier cup competition in South African football.

Ubuntu FC, who campaignrd in the second-tier National First Division, were the first side to progress to the quarter-finals, via a rousing 3-2 victory over Premier Soccer League competition in the shape of AmaZulu.

Ubuntu, the name conjures up heart-warming feelings of fellowship, compassion, humanity. The club itself, based in the area of Ocean View in the southern peninsula, an area with its fair share of socio-economic problems, sees itself as more than just an outlet for physical activity.

With its own school and academy, Ubuntu provides a holistic model through which it seeks to develop the whole person and create citizens able to develop full lives and achieve their real potential. And through positive role modelling and ploughing back into the surrounding communities, the club’s products will play a vital role in developing society.

ON AN emotional level though, Ubuntu gives us all that opportunity to dream big. In cup competitions, a stunning performance on the day can see an underdog side stand up and show its bite.

No top side likes to be drawn against a so-called minnow, as the unheralded team will relish the prospect of pulling off a giant-killing act.

Ubuntu has punched above its weight and will fear no one when it comes to the quarter-final draw in a few days’ time.

No side will want to take on a confident team like the Capetonians, who have nothing to lose.

And in keeping with their name and philosophy, the NFD team side will run all day in their last-eight clash, pulling for each other and working as a team in an attempt to achieve greatness as a unit.

Long may their fairy tale continue.