The inaugural Hanover Park Derby on Friday 25 February 2022 sees a rampaging Hanover Park take on a reincarnated Premier United. But where will your loyalties lie as these two teams go to war?
It’s almost every young footballer’s goal to be given a second chance, and this goal was realised by the lanky Casely Watson when he signed for Cape Town Spurs.
Cape Town’s CR Vasco Da Gama have won the Sasol National Championships after defeating City Lads 4-3 in a thrilling final yesterday, in the process completing the treble of trophies in one of their most successful seasons.
By Joshua Hendricks Images: Supplied
Bafana Bafana legend and Cape Town football icon Tyren Arendse’s ability to say no to a lifestyle that could have hindered his success is the reason why he conquered the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Some of his friends would take offence when he chose to stay home instead of maybe going out on a Friday or Saturday night. The temptation was definitely there, especially due to the fact that he signed his first professional contract at the age of 18. But his maturity to make critical decisions at such a tender age provided him with a perfect platform that led to winning two league titles, five cup competitions and earning three caps for Bafana Bafana.
Background and Journey
Arendse was born in Elsies River but moved to Blackheath at the age of seven. Interestingly, he never played club football in his early days. “At church we had a Saturday league, so I used to play for the church. Yeah, just church and school football. When I was 16 or 17 I started playing club football for Eersteriver United’, recalls Arendse.
During his matric year, he was selected for the SAFA Western Province team for a national competition in Durban. The team included another Bafana Legend in Nasief Morris, among others. “We won that tournament and in that event there was a guy called Gavin Manuel who was the convener of sports. At the time he was at Santos so after the tournament he asked me to join them”.
That very time it wasn’t for Santos but for Mitchells Plain who were like a Santos’ senior development team which was playing in the Vodacom league. Arendse played a few games for them in the following season. “After this I played for Santos u19 in the Bayhill and it was the first time we won it. Then I left football for about eight months to study at Stellenbosch University.”
While studying that same year in September he got a call from Nigel Crowie, the General Manager at Santos, to come for trials. All it took was one friendly game and soon after he was tied down to his maiden professional contract. Arendse had a successful stint with the Peoples Team before he was headhunted by Orlando Pirates where he spent two seasons. Following that came Mamelodi Sundowns where he added a league title and Nedbank Cup to his Bobsave Super Bowl, League BP Top Eight and Absa Cup he won with Santos.
Then he returned to Santos and played four seasons in the PSL before the team was relegated to the First Division. He played two or three seasons before they were consigned to an even lower Vodacom League where he spent one season in 2018 then called it quits. “I was actually supposed to go back after the off season. That time I spent a lot of time with my family because my boys were still young. I thought that there was nothing that I still wanted to achieve in football. The moment when I scored on debut for Bafana away against Tunisia in a friendly match is a memory I hold in high stead.”
Challenges
“There were a lot of challenges because I was a late starter in football. There was no connection and I didn’t know anything about professional football. I was never involved in the junior structure. Out of nowhere I was kind of thrown in the deep end. Coming from local amateur football where the mentality is totally different. I had to unlearn a lot of things. I was very determined and mentally strong. In the beginning it wasn’t easy. I had a lot of friends who, like me, didn’t understand what it is to be a pro footballer.”
Before that, Arendse and his friends used to go clubbing on a Friday or a Saturday night. Being a professional football player it was difficult to do with a game the next day. His friends couldn’t understand when he refused. To them it looked like fame and money were getting into his head. As a result, he lost a lot of friends by making such an informed and sober decision. He had to break free from a lifestyle that would put his career under threat.
From a footballing point of view, he had on-field constraints that he had to work hard on to basically catch up his development.
“When I got into the team there were players who were much better than me on a technical level because I never had proper development. I played football in the streets and at school. I used to go early to school just to play every day. At home we played in the streets against kids of all ages and sizes.
“It’s the best development you can have because you try different things. You find out what you can and what you can’t do. Physically, they build you down there. My never say die attitude got built up on the streets and on unstructured football. Technically, I had to improve a lot. My tenacity and hard work helped me to become a better player.”
Plans after football
In the prime of his game, life after football was not thought of but close to the end he started thinking about where he would fit in. Being so in love with football, he always thought that he would eventually at some point become a coach at Santos.
After a two-year hiatus he found himself coaching school football, getting himself involved with football programmes that included 20 schools in the Eersteriver/Mfuleni and Blue Downs area. His love for development became evident and he saw it as a mandate set out for himself.
Personal Coaching ambitions
“If the right opportunity comes I’ll definitely be involved in professional football. Development level is where I want to be for now because there is so much that needs to be done. More pro coaches need to get involved in the development so that they are taught the right things sooner.
“When amateur players come into a pro setup there is so much they need to catch up on. If we involve more ex professional players into our development then we will have more 17-18 year-olds in the PSL. I last coached FC Kapstadt u18s but due to Covid-19 it was a very difficult season.”
The Santos Conundrum
Arendse had sympathy for former club owners because he believes that the job is tricky and extremely demanding. In his opinion, everything is about results and that you can lose your mind trying to chase the gold. “Many clubs are pushing for promotion without having the right structures cemented. Having like-minded people that know the plan and share the same vision is what is needed. Most of the time people come in and spend money. As soon as this fails they sell the franchise. Develop your own players, stick to your principles and set yourself realistic goals by focusing more on the structure.”
Arendse believes that the current crop of up and coming footballers are different to his generation. “I had this good grounding at home. Knowing I had to work hard and this was always instilled in me from a young age. The generation of today is a lot different. They seem to walk around with this kind of arrogance. They got the talent but are not always willing to put in the extra efforts. I had a lot of experienced players around me who would advise me on what to do and what not to do. When I came into the Santos frame I always had older heads advising me and I implemented their advice.”
It was a mouth-watering encounter involving two teams going into the fixture with unbeaten records when new kids on the block Clarewood JPM hosted experienced Zizwe United at the weekend.
By Joshua Hendricks
It is every sportsperson’s dream to turn professional, and that dream has been realized by Cape Town rising football star Mogamat Samodien May when he signed his professional contract with Cape Town City FC.
The Hanover Park-born May has put pen to paper on a deal for City’s DStv Premiership team, under the guidance of Eric Tinkler, from the Regional Third Division team Hanover Park FC. His signing makes him join an impressive growing list of Cape Town footballers who fought their way onto the books of the Citizens, confirming the club’s commitment to investing in and developing local football.
After signing with the Citizens, May expressed his delight and gratefulness.
“I’m ecstatic, over the moon. No words can describe how grateful I am for Metamorphosize Personal Training and the coaching staff at Hanover Park FC. Also Cape Town City FC for believing in me and giving me this life-changing opportunity. This, to me, is another shot at life. An opportunity to better myself both as a player and as an individual.”
Riedewaan Anthony, Chairman of Hanover Park FC, congratulated May and said his move means a lot to many youngsters on the Cape Flats.
“We congratulate Samodien on his departure to Cape Town City. Representing the hopes and dreams of so many kids on the Cape Flats. Hanover Park always produces players for the likes of Ajax Cape Town (now Cape Town Spurs) and other academies. The stats prove that a huge amount of players from the area eventually join top academies.
“We wish him well and hopefully this motivates others to do the same. This will inspire them that one of our own will play in the PSL (Premier Soccer League) again following the likes of Clinton Emmanuel, Simphiwe Phama, Amigo Memela(AmaZulu) and Alfred Ndengane(Maritzburg United). So Samodien will join this list.”
According to Anthony, May has been with Hanover Park from the early ages.
“He started in the mini’s group and continued until the age of 15. He was one of the reasons we won the Mr Price Tournament. Beating all the top academies and that drew their attention to him, prompting the move to Old Mutual and later Ajax. He then returned back to us at the age of 22.
A natural goal poacher, who is comfortable with both feet and his magnificent aerial ability, May’s rise to the professional ranks will not come as a surprise in the Mother City’s football fraternity.
“Mo” as he is known, has experience playing in the GladAfrica Championship with Steenberg United, however game time was limited.
Recently he has been in fine form by showcasing his goal scoring prowess which matches up with his accurate creativity.
He is currently the leading goal-scorer in the Safa Cape Town’s Regional Third Division League, having bagged 13 goals and nine assists in just 10 games for Hanover Park FC. Tonight he played his last game for the team and scored a goal as Park beat Goal 50 United 3-0 to strengthen its position at the summit of the league. That was after Mo had bagged a brace to secure all three points when Park defeated Bayview Football Club 2-1.
“It was a difficult weekend for the team because we played two games, one on Friday and the other on Sunday. Especially Sunday was a bit tough because of the heat but we pushed through and got the three points”, said May after the Bayview game.
“In the first half we dominated and got the goal. Then we took our foot off the paddle in the second half, allowing Bayview into the game. Luckily, I managed to get the second goal that secured the win but it was a team effort on a challenging weekend.”
It was hoped that the former Old Mutual and Ajax academy graduate would play a key role in Hanover Park’s quest for the title as his goals have made the Brasse van die Park serious contenders for the Third Division title. Now that he has reached his dreams, Park will have to do without him.
Nevertheless, his progression will be seen as a great motivation for footballers playing in the lower divisions. Anything is possible because there is always someone watching you.
It was a mouth-watering encounter involving two teams going into the fixture with unbeaten records when new kids on the block Clarewood JPM hosted experienced Zizwe United at the weekend.
By Joshua Hendricks Images: Supplied
Tapelo Xoki’s childhood trauma and battle with depression caught up with him while playing professional football at AmaZulu FC, and nearly pushed him past the point of no return. His long journey towards success at Usuthu was almost in vain.
But his decision to embark on therapy sessions and finding himself did not only help him overcome his upbringing and past trauma issues. It also aided him to regain his best form as one of the finest footballers on the land who is passionate about the development of the youth.
Recently, Xoki felt the need to dig deep into his own pocket to give back to his community of Khayelitsha when he, with the help of the Khayelitsha LFA officials, hosted the inaugural Kamvalethu (Our Future) Challenge Cup in which four divisions: u13, u15, u17 and u23s competed for the kits, medals and trophies that were on offer. “I thank everyone who has made the tournament a success. Not for me but for the youngsters in our community of Khayelitsha which we all know have a potential but face many challenges on daily bases,” Xoki said after the event.
Nyongo, as Xoki was called in his days while playing for Cape Town Liverpool, West Coast, Silver City, Eleven Express (SAB League) and Khayelitsha LFA under 17 squad, had a long and difficult path to realise his dream. He grew up living with both his parents but was uprooted at the age of seven, making him feel rejected and that affected his development.
But he soldiered on and his talents landed him at Old Mutual Academy in 2012 but things didn’t go smoothly. “At Old Mutual there was a time I almost gave up because sometimes I felt mistreated. I even complained to my parents, but I persisted due to my friend who encouraged me to persevere”.
Xoki recalls that when he was 17 years old Old Mutual qualified for the Engen Knockouts but when it came to the main tournament the team developed doubts about his age and did not play him. “My teammates like Morne Nel would ask me why I wasn’t playing. I said I also don’t know. It hurt me a bit but I tried not to take note of it”.
Then former professional footballer George Dearnaley bought the Vodacom League (currently known as ABC Motsepe League) franchise of the club and played a big role in Xoki’s rise to prominence. “He made sure that he gave everyone a chance and had open trials. When he saw me he knew he could get something out of me. The Vodacom League was of a different level and of high intensity. I didn’t always play but close to the end of the season I became a regular”.
The following year Dearnaley took Xoki to AmaZulu for trials while he was also doing well in the Cape Town leg of the Nike Chance trials. “On a Monday I was told I’m going to Durban for trials and I had to attend the Nike Chance on a Friday. On top of that, I still had my parents on my case about school because I had registered for a sports management programme at CPUT (Cape Peninsula University of Technology)”.
Xoki went to Durban but wasn’t really noticed because AmaZulu had a midweek game. “I couldn’t train with the first team but I was watched by Marc Kruner, who was the technical director. So I went to Joburg for Nike but Marc was there too for the Nike Chance and he observed me again. I didn’t make the final cut for Nike but Kruner spoke to me about Usuthu and I told him I’d have to quit my studies.
“I arrived in Cape Town to the news that AmaZulu wanted me back because the coach didn’t see me and my report was good. I went back to Durban and the then coach, Craig Roslee, was happy with me and I signed a pre-contract in 2014.”
In the last three years Xoki had to confront demons from his past as challenges creeped up on him when he least expected. “People don’t really talk about child trauma – the rejection and hurt that you go through when you are a child. Remember, I left my mother at seven and I had to go to a new family. I didn’t really know my father personally and I didn’t know the family.
“At that time I felt rejected and neglected because I didn’t know what was going on and no one was telling me anything because I was a child. You grow up with those scars but you don’t really know that those are scars. I had no one to confide in. When I was hurt, I just bottled things up. I did not want to get into trouble for fear of being sent away. I just had to soldier on and be my own man.
“In 2017 I got smashed in a game and it affected my kidney. Then all those emotions started to pour back in slowly because I was not training and I was trying to get back to fitness. I became a bit depressed since I was used to keeping things to myself.”
Not knowing how to address the feelings affected his relationship with his girlfriend. But fortunately, he had friends who could see that something was not right. “They asked me about my family, which is something I was not used to because people wouldn’t ask what’s bothering me. There was a day when I just cracked and cried.”
Xoki, though, had realised how to deal with the situation. “It starts off the field and then on it. I got to a phase when I was playing and then not playing, and then the remarks and feelings of rejection returned. I became bitter, angry and moody. I was turning into something I was not. I wasn’t positive with my reactions at all.
“After a while I started to see a bit of change. The way I dealt with adversity started to change. I was more positive and my confidence started to come back. Other than blaming people and becoming bitter, I would look for positivity. And saying I need to work more, I need to do that, if it’s not your time then it’s okay.”
His outlook on life has since improved. “My wish is to spread awareness about child trauma. There was a time when I asked myself so many negative questions around injustices. Like why did my mother take me to my father, and it became too much? The negative thoughts creeped into my mind to a point where I wanted to take my own life and disappear. But luckily, I found help. Some guys are not as fortunate.”
The postponement of the Sasol League National Playoffs this week has shot down the spirit in the CR Vasco da Gama team and severely disrupted their December holiday plans as they strive to remain focused.
As a result, the team is planning to continue with their training sessions throughout the festive season to maintain their peak fitness levels to remain ready and in the best shape whenever the competitions resumes.
On Sunday the South African Football Association (SAFA) and sponsors Sasol announced that the event has been adjourned until further notice in the wake of rising covid-19 cases across the country. The national play-offs, pitting all nine provincial champions, were scheduled to take place in Durban this week to determine the two teams that will be promoted to the Hollywoodbets Super League next season.
‘’The Omicron variant cases are on the rise and, as the Association, we prioritize the health of our athletes and other stakeholders. This is something we cannot afford to risk, hence the decision to postpone the games,’’ said SAFA chief medical officer, Dr Thulani Ngwenya, in a statement.
He said SAFA and Sasol will find a suitable date for the playoffs when the variant is under control. ‘’Our decision on when to resume the playoffs will be dictated by a conducive environment and when the variant is under control. As things stand, the situation does not allow us to continue with the games as we will be putting all those involved, including players, officials and those running the competition, at risk. As a responsible organisation we cannot do that,’’ said Dr Ngwenya.
Although the decision is understandable and accetable, it has threw a spanner in the works of Vasco, who are in top form, having won a gruelling Sasol League Western Cape title and a Coke Cup trophy this season. “The momentum of the team has dropped a bit because the excitement was there and we were still on a high,” noted Vasco captain Jamie Witbooi.
“The postponement of the playoffs has slightly put the team off, but it gave us extra time to work on certain aspects where we were lacking. On the one hand it’s a good thing, on the other it’s a bad thing because we don’t know until when they have been postponed. It might be in January, when in January, we don’t know.”
Witbooi said another adverse side of the adjournment of the event was that the team will lack game time as they doubt if there is any team who will give them friendly games over this period. “The momentum is a bit down, but we are trying to focus on the role ahead to be successful and try to qualify for the Hollywoodbets Super League.”
It was a mouth-watering encounter involving two teams going into the fixture with unbeaten records when new kids on the block Clarewood JPM hosted experienced Zizwe United at the weekend.