Philippi’s champions, Dangerous Heroes, dominate SAFA Coke Cup in thrilling final

• Philippi-based Dangerous Heroes defended their SAFA Cape Town Coke Cup title with a 4-2 victory over UCT women’s team.
• Coach Bayanda Sikiti praised the team’s determination throughout a challenging tournament.
• The club now sets its sights on new competitions, inspired to reach the Hollywood Bets League.

Dangerous Heroes lived up to their name when they slayed the UCT women’s soccer team to successfully defend the SAFA Cape Town Coke Cup Trophy at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday 26 October.

The Philippi-based team won the highly entertaining match 4-2 to crown another successful year in the club’s history.

An elated coach Bayanda Sikiti described their journey in the tournament as tough. After conquering the preliminary games to book a spot in the tournament the woman from Philippi had to travel the lengths and breaths of the Cape Metro and overcome numerous oppositions, including UWC, Salt River and multiple Coke Champions Cape Town Roses from Gugulethu.

“We had to dig deeper,” Sikiti related. “It was not an easy journey. He adds the win lifted the players’ moral and inspired confidence in the team.”

Anathi Nqothani of Dangerous Heroes sends Micheala Liebenberg of UCT flying in a tackle during the SAFA CT coke final for women, played at Athlone stadium on Saturday 26 October. Dangerous Heroes won 4-2 to lift the trophy for the second consecutive time.

The Sasol League side plies its trade in the Philippi Local Football Association.

“The players are very happy,” Sikiti said. “We won against big teams in the Sasol League. That means a lot to us as a team, especially coming from Philippi. This is also a good motivation and encouragement for the youth to join the sports.”

According to the coach the side will now focus on two upcoming competitions, while retaining its Sasol League status and eyeing a spot in the Hollywood Bets League (the premier division for women’s soccer).

Later this year they will defend their title for the third consecutive year. “We are getting a lot of support from the LFA, which we are grateful for,” Sikiti said, praising the players for their commitment, dedication and passion.

With most of their players still at school he said they always try to balance their football life with their studies. “We give them time off when they write the exams so we do not affect their progress.”