NFD teams focus on nothing but gaining promotion

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 lonely battle on behalf of the city. In recent seasons, Milano and All Stars have been there and thereabouts, but never quite achieving the sought-after goal of promotion.

This campaign, though, there appears to be a definite mood of optimism among the five NFD clubs. Four of them have appointed new coaches, 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: The Parow-based club made its intentions known last season when businessman Mario Ferreira took charge. 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 as their new 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 Ntambi Kirizstom, Omaatla Kebatho and Siphesihle Stuurman. The Gugulethu-based club was the best-placed Cape NFD side 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 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 ambition. A player to watch this season is the highly-rated Thembinkosi Lorch. The tricky midfielder was signed by Orlando Pirates from Maluti FET College, but has been loaned to All Stars to further his development. The Lansdowne-based club has a new man in charge in the form of Zeca Marques. Last season was one of the worst in the NFD for the former PSL club, with Marques now tasked with awakening the sleeping giant that is Santos. 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. 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 Solomons as coach. He 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 in- spire them to the PSL. Talented young defender Junaid 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. 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 goalkeepercoach and Craig Rosslee as technical director. De Jongh has kept his objectives low-key for this season, targeting a topeight finish – but he has emphasised that he wants to take FC Cape Town to the PSL in three years’ time.

THIS WEEK’S NFD FIXTURES Saturday:

Black Leopards v Milano United; AmaZulu v Witbank Spurs; FC Cape Town v African Warriors (NNK Rugby Stadium, 3pm); Cape Town All Stars v Moroka Swallows (Athlone Stadium, 3pm); Mbombela United v Thanda Royal Zulu; Highlands Park v Royal Eagles

Sunday: Santos v Baroka FC (Athlone Stadium, 3pm); Mthatha Bucks v Vasco da Gama

VASCO DA GAMA

CAPE TOWN ALL STARS

SANTOS

MILANO UNITED

FC CAPE TOWN