2019By CHRIS TOTOBELA
Makhanda will be represented by six of the 32 clubs competing in the New Year’s Cup, which kicks off on Monday 16 and culminates in a 31 December final.
Maru carries our most realistic hope of keeping the trophy in the city, as it is undoubtedly the strongest of the local pack.
Maru will come to this year’s event full of confidence as they have enjoyed a rich vein of form in their SAB regional league and are currently playing the sort of football that led to their two New Year’s Cup crowns.
Eleven Attackers have not really found their feet and are blowing hot and cold in the Makana LFA Premier league and will have to beef up their squad if they really what to make an impact in this tournament.
Sakhulutsha were outstanding in the pre-season tournament and looked very sharp, but spending a couple of months without playing any competitive games might have disadvantaged them coming into this tournament.
Sophia stars will have to dig very deep to emulate what they did two years ago when they finished fourth overall.
Newtown City has started very well in the local league and showed signs of unity, but they will need more than that to make an impact in this tough tournament and they should not rule out any possibilities of acquiring good and talented players.
Newseekers have had a fair start to the season and have held their own against the big guns, but the standard of the New Year’s Cup will be totally different from what they are used to. It won’t be their first time in the NYC, but they will have to make use of all the lessons they picked up in the last edition. They should also try to beef up their squad with the sort of talent who won’t be overwhelmed by the occasion.
One thing that our teams can bank on is the support of our local football lovers who always pack JD Dlepu to the rafters and create a good vibe for their local teams.
