RECORD-BREAKING: Six defeats in a row for Cape Town Spurs after claiming relegation promotion

By Masoja Cele

Recently promoted Western Cape club Cape Town Spurs have stretched to their sixth straight defeats of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership calendar matching the record previously heldby Umtata Bush Bucks back in the 1999/2000 campaign.

Spurs are pointless dwelling at the tail end of the log standing. The Urban Warriors could even surpass the record should they not thread differently against their next opponent Cape Town City in the Cape derby league fixture on Saturday (Yesterday).  Spurs were elevated to the Premiership division last term after claiming the relegation/promotion play-offs. Nobody, predicted or saw it coming, but the Urban Warrios are experiencing hard times in the DStv Premiership.

The Shaun Bartlett led side has conceded twelve goals, an average of two goals per match and banged only three goals. Reminder, if any were needed, the DStv Premiership is a tough league.

Spurs supporters have seen little in Spurs performances so far in 2023/24 to suggest an unlikely escape from relegation. Ordinarily, teams that gain promotion to the top division would bolster the squad with a few quality playing personnel.

However, having played six matches the Urban Warriors still indicate of the relative lack of quality in their troop. They solely depend on the players that were there in the championship.  With the experience of gaffer Bartlett, he should know better. The former Spurs and Bafana Bafana goal poacher ought to distinguish between quality and mediocrity. Perhaps, the players in his disposal were better during the championship outing but, definitely not good enough for the DStv Premiership.

It’s true that the Western Cape outfit have about three or four young players that are value. Attacking midfielder Luvuyo Phewa (23) is a mobile player with brilliant football techniques.

With proper guidance he will be a menace in future. Siyanda Msani (22) is another prospect for the future, a very intelligent player with the ball. Msani can attack and defend with the same tempo. Ashley Cupido (22) a very tricky right winger, delivers perfect crosses for his mates.

And the young Asanele Velebayi (20) He is always energetic and buoyant in his play. He is not shy to challenge the opposition with his trickery. These are the future stars of our football provided they remain grounded and respect the game.

Veterans like ageing Clayton Daniels (39), Nazeer Allie (38) and Michael Morton (34) are all true servants of the game. Perhaps, it’s advisable for the trio to call it a day. Modern football demand endurance, agility and intensity which the threesome lacks today. They had mobility during their youthful career but father time has caught up with them.

Bartlett was an integral member of the Spurs team that dominated the football scenes in the early 90’s. In 1995 the Urban Warriors claimed the double, the NSL league title and the Bob Save.

During that spell Bartlett was surrounded by great players. Think of the defensive stalwart Roger Links, the roving left back David ‘’Going-Up’’ Nyathi, David’’ Rasta’’Modise, Roger Lupiya, Francis Shonayi, Eric Ramasike, to name a few.

These players created an everlasting legacy in the colours of Spurs. What a team? Maybe, the current bunch of Spurs player’s can trace the inheritance of these legends and draw from it. The Cape club merged with Seven Stars in 1998 and traded as Cape Town Ajax.

This was a joint venture that was controlled by parent club Ajax Amsterdam that had 51% majority share-holding. Subsequently, in 2020 Ajax Cape Town discarded their relationship with the Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam and renamed the club Cape Town Spurs.

RABADA TO LEAD THE PACK 

ICC WORLD CUP: The absence of ace pacers leaves the onus on Kagiso in SA’s bowling attack

 By Sports Reporter

Kagiso Rabada will lead South Africa’s bowling attack in the absence of two key pacers at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

South Africa will be without the services of ace pacers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. In their absence, the onus will be on Kagiso Rabada to lead the pace attack.

Despite missing key players, Rabada remains optimistic about South Africa’s chances at the World Cup. The Proteas haven’t gotten their hands on the coveted trophy yet but the tearaway pacer has his eyes set on the big prize.

“One thing we have never lacked as South Africans is belief, so going into the tournament we do believe we can win it,” said Rabada.

“We’ve got the players to do so, so hopefully we can make our first final and win this competition. It’s going to be hard but it’s going to be really enjoyable.

“It’s exciting to have the best players in the world playing against each other competing for one prize, and we are up for the challenge.”

The Proteas have been in great ODI form lately, most recently winning 3-2 against Australia after being 2-0 down.

In fact, since the start of the year, South Africa are yet to lose an ODI series and have seen their efforts rewarded in the MRF Tyres Men’s ICC Team Rankings as they head into the World Cup as the No.4 team.

Rabada will be playing his second World Cup but doesn’t have very fond memories of his maiden appearance in 2019. He picked up only 11 wickets in nine games and South Africa failed to make it to the semi-finals, finishing seventh out of the 10 teams.

Rabada candidly admitted that he wasn’t at his best the last time around but hopes to make amends in the upcoming edition.

“The 2019 World Cup was my first and I wasn’t successful at all,” Rabada added. The lesson I took from that is that team cohesion is the most important factor, because individuals don’t win World Cups, teams do.

“The older I have become and the more caps I have, the more I realise that I am a leader in that environment.

“Through knowing my own strengths and reinforcing them, knowing what makes me tick and through lending an ear to other players, I want to help set how we play as a collective.”

The experience of Rabada is going to be key for the bowling group, with the pacer having played 27 international games across formats in India to go with multiple stints in the Indian Premier League.

South Africa too have travelled to India a lot lately, having played 11 white-ball games in India since the start of 2022.

“It does help when you understand the conditions in the various grounds, and having played in India for all these years, it gives you a familiarity on how to go about your tactics,” he concluded.

“The majority of our team has played in India, but for those who haven’t played as much, it is important to share experiences.

“In India you have drier conditions and they are batter-friendly wickets, so it’s about finding ways to be successful.

“Managing the noise and distractions is really important and I think it’s just about focus and not letting the crowd get to you. But at the same time, it is exciting to be playing in packed stadiums with tens of thousands of screaming fans – it’s an honour.”

South Africa begin their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on October 7 in Delhi. Before that, they will play two warm-up games, the first of which will be played on  September 29 against Afghanistan followed by New Zealand on October 2.