Santos can still salvage something

Rodney Reiners

A football club steeped in history, and studded with glory and success in the past, Santos have certainly fallen on hard times.

Established in 1982, and always at the forefront of the struggle against Apartheid, Santos had no peers in the now-defunct Federation Professional League (FPL). League and Cup honours were achieved with regularity and they continued the success after football unity, winning the PSL title in the 2001-2002 season with Gordon Igesund as head coach.

But, relegated in 2012, it has been a struggle to recapture the glory days of old. Now, ensconced in a disappointing 10th position on the National First Division (NFD) standings, Santos are looking to use the Nedbank Cup to try to regain some measure of pride.

The Lansdowne-based club takes on fellow-NFD side Mthatha Bucks in a Nedbank Cup last 32 tie at the Athlone Stadium tomorrow night (kick-off 7.30pm) – and, as club boss Goolam Allie says, it’s an opportunity for the squad and the club to remind everybody they are still around, and still committed to the game.

“It’s been another up and down season,” said Allie. “We haven’t picked up too many points, so the season hasn’t gone as we would have wanted. But we are in a rebuilding phase, and the youngsters are improving and gaining experience with every game. It’s definitely looking much better on the field, it’s just that, many times, things have not gone our way.

“But the Nedbank Cup is a chance for the players to expose themselves, it’s a stage for them to show they can play. For us, it’s also an opportunity to salvage something from a season that hasn’t really gone according to plan.”

Santos are coached by Zeca Marques, ably assisted by former Cape Town Spurs and Santos star, Keith America.

The Cape side recently beefed up the squad by signing Andile Nqabeni from Moroka Swallows and Mfanufuthi Dlamini from Royal Eagles.

“Our aim is to try to reach the play-off spot in the NFD and, for that, we will need to have experience in the squad,” said America. “And, looking at past experience, it’s something we’ve lacked. We are hoping this duo can provide it…”

Bucks are situated even lower than Santos on the NFD standings (15th), but, in a Cup game, form and log position count for nothing. In fact, the Eastern London-based side recently defeated Santos in the Mother City.

With Santos keen on a good run in this competition, they will be desperate for some goals from their strike-force, which will place lots of responsibility on the team’s attacking trio, Faizel Johnson, Suhayl Allie and Carl Lark.