The Coca-Cola Cup Men’s Division also brings together four teams of different walks of life. But this time around, the two areas that rose to the top were Rondebosch from Cape Town Tygerberg FA and Lwandle from LFA Helderberg.
These are two teams that would never compete on any given Saturday – but were drawn to the field for the Cup, and emerged triumphant, with Rygersdal beating Woodlands 2-1, and Dynamos FT beating Clover 2-3.
Running from end to end, we got you some exclusive comments from both winning coaches – who answered the call with assertiveness and joy.
“The game was okay, but we made it difficult for ourselves,” said Mthuthuzeli Matshabane, Dynamos Head Coach. “We prepared well and we got an early goal; then we struggled a bit. It’s a funny first half we were playing with the wind, and we knew in the second half they’d be throwing numbers into the box and trying to get the goal from our mistakes.
Still, he’s happy with the results – and what it means for his team.
“I’m very excited for the players – they’re a young team and the passion is there. We came all the way from Lwandle. Unfortunately the people of Lwandle can’t be here – but I’m sure some of them will hear about this from the mountains. They’ve sent us messages all the time, and I’m sure they’re as happy as I am.”
Gershawn Coetzee, Rygersdal Head Coach, was impressed with the quality of the opposition his team faced.
“It was always going to be a tough game,” he said “Woodlands are the defending champions, and they have great pedigree. They showed what Mitchell’s Plain is all about. I come from Mitchell’s Plain. It’s always been about good quality youngsters, and they had youngsters who really played well. Lots of “1-2s”, the future looks bright if that continues. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and we had to dig deep. They gave us a very good game – and they can hold their heads up high.”
For Rygersdal, this will be their second time in the final.
“We won it in 2018, so hopefully we can do it again. But all in all, it was a great game of football with two yellow cards. You know you can just sit back and say that football is in a good place.”
I have to echo the thoughts of the Rygersdal Head Coach. Well done to Dynamos and their achievement of confirming qualification – but the game on the A Field of Stephen Reagan was a LFA game of high quality.
The Coca-Cola Cup Men’s Division often coughs up footballing legends from the past – players . Players who came through good academy systems but were perhaps not picked up by big clubs. This season’s semi finalists showed that same trend – and reminds us that experience adds the colour and much-needed tactical quality that the people are thirsty for.
The crowd turning up in the dunes was a testament to the standard of football that was on display. Thinking back at that last game of the day, I once again can feel the goosebumps and appreciation for what I had just witnessed.
Some say local football is dead. I say that’s rubbish – and if you need proof, look no further than the Coke Cup.
