Share

ISAACS AND MALESELA TO FACE OFF FOR KE YONA SEMIS SPOT

accreditation
Cape Umoya United coach Dominic Isaacs says they are taking it one game at a time. Photo byGallo Images
Cape Umoya United coach Dominic Isaacs says they are taking it one game at a time. Photo byGallo Images

THE National First Division (NFD) is guaranteed a representative in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup this season.

This after Cape Umoya United and TS Galaxy were drawn to face each other in the Ke Yona Cup quarter-finals.

Cape Umoya host The Rockets at Athlone Stadium tomorrow (7.30pm), to kick off the quarter-final action.

History awaits the winners as neither of these teams have ever reached this stage of the competition before.

It would be quite an achievement for both of them, but perhaps more so for the Cape team who were re-established last year following the takeover of now defunct former PSL team, Platinum Stars.

The Spirited Ones, as they are also known, have found the going tough in the NFD as they fight hard to remain in the league.

However, head coach Dominic Isaacs appears to be slowly steering them towards safety, having managed to get the club out of the relegation zone – for now.

The Cape Town-based team were languishing at the bottom of the table when the former Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town defender took charge in December last year.

“I refuse to take credit,” said a modest Isaacs.

“My backroom staff has to take all the credit because this has been a team effort.

“But the job is not yet done. We need to keep working hard to ensure safety and possibly win the Nedbank Cup.”

Isaacs believes their involvement in the Mzansi version of the FA Cup has not distracted them from their mission of avoiding the drop.

If anything, it is the momentum from their impressive run in the tournament that has seen their league form picking up lately.

Isaacs’ charges are currently on a four game unbeaten run and they got the better of Dan “Dance” Malesela’s Rockets in their last meeting.

“We are currently in a good space,” said Isaacs. “We haven’t lost a game at home so far this year, which is a boost heading into this clash and we need to keep that up against a very tough, well drilled opponent.

“Galaxy are a very dangerous team, they are quite difficult to turn over. They have a good structure and they play the old fashioned way.”

Isaacs believes a team from the NFD might go all the way and lift the coveted trophy.

“People must stop looking down on the NFD,” added Isaacs.

“This is one of the toughest leagues.

“Teams play afternoon games when the sun is baking hot, but the players never stop running.

“It is difficult to plan technically for teams in this league – it really is a jungle.”

Get the best in Soccer, News and Lifestyle content with SNL24 PLUS
For 14 free days, you can have access to the best from Soccer Laduma, KickOff, Daily Sun, TrueLove and Drum. Thereafter you will be billed R29 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed.
Subscribe to SNL24 PLUS
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
SunFam, How do you normally spend Easter holidays?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Going to church
26% - 27 votes
Hosting or attending a family gathering
12% - 12 votes
Chilling at home
56% - 58 votes
Working
7% - 7 votes
Vote
Let us know what you think

Contact the People’s Paper with feedback on stories and how we could make dailysun.co.za even better!

Learn more
Do you have a story for the People’s Paper?

Click below to contact our news desk and share your story with SunLand!

Let's do it!