Helderberg Lions Football Club are soaring high after their first season in the C1 second division of the Cape Town Tygerberg Football Association (CTTFA) League, where the senior team finished eighth on the log and the reserve team ended in third place.
The Somerset West club, based in Helderzicht, was formed just a year ago and has already made its mark as a well-organised team, full of talent and poised for even greater results next season.
They played their final game of the season this past Saturday (1 October), where they faced Parklands United FC and won 3-1
In all, both the senior and reserve teams played 26 games, with the seniors recording nine wins, eight draws, and nine losses, and the reserves 14 wins, three draws and nine losses – not forgetting their three junior teams who enjoyed similar success in their season.
Speaking on the sidelines at one of their final training sessions, coach Nolan Jacobs and assistant coach Kgosietsile Thole related some of the highlights and challenges they faced throughout the season.
“Each game was a highlight for us; the fact that we pitched up at every fixture with a full squad, despite challenges with transport, funds, despite members of the executive leaving, we pitched up, showed respect to our opponents and played,” Jacobs related.
“We made history for this community, every game was a learning curve and we narrowly lost out on reaching the semi-finals of the league.”
In the beginning, Jacobs didn’t feel like a coach, but the players committed to play for him and soon the positive results started streaming in.
“We lost our first five games, then drew five in a row, and then won three in a row. The growth of the team is what keeps me going and today I can say that I feel like a coach,” said Jacobs.
Thole echoed these sentiments saying it wasn’t easy and at times some wanted to throw in the towel as frustration grew on arranging juniors to travel to three different locations to face opponents, and the inability of players to pay registration fees due to economic challenges, but in the end they pulled it off and did it well for the season.
“Among our highs has to be our 4-3 victory against local rivals De Beers AFC; it was a thrilling goal fest and our biggest win,” Thole pointed out.
“We had a goal to reach the top eight and that’s exactly where we ended. This is a special group of players and we couldn’t be prouder of their dedication despite hardships and trying circumstances.”
The first team progressed to the quarter-final of the CTTFA Cup, but narrowly lost in a penalty shoot-out. It was nevertheless a solid performance, which earned applause for the team and coaching staff.
“We thank God for bringing these boys together,” said Jacobs. “We are now really part of a family and share in each others joys and sorrows. We are proud of our achievements. Some of the players come from Nomzamo and walk to and from training every day. It’s incredibly inspiring to see what we have achieved.”
He further praised club secretary Alicia Jacobs, who dug deep into her pocket to ensure transport and affiliated costs were always covered, and the team stuck together through thick and thin.
“She is really the glue of this team; she’s our rock and we just couldn’t do it without her.”
The players and coaches will now take a well deserved break as they make way on for the club cricket season, but have already earmarked friendlies against Young Bafana in the off season.
“The players are hardworking and dedicated,” Jacobs declared. “We obviously want to improve our results next season, and we feel it’s not too ambitious to aim for a top three finish.”
Jacobs appealed to the community to come forward and volunteer as executive committee members and to assist with admin, as well as assist with funds to help the club grow.
V To get in touch with Helderberg Lions contact Jacobs on 076 556 1265 or Thole on 061 217 6279.
