The Arena in Strand, the football home of Young Bafana, was buzzing with excitement on Saturday 29 April, when Young Bafana entertained Zizwe FC in the second leg encounter to qualify for the national play-offs.
Zizwe won the first leg on their home ground 1-0 the previous week, and a draw would have seen them qualify for the regional play offs.
But it was not to be as Young Bafana came out in a very determined mood to settle the score. Spurred on by a bumper crowd of vociferous supporters, Young Bafana took up the challenge to gain victory in a nail biting match, clinchign the win in a tense penalty shoot-out by 4-3.
This was after Young Bafana had won the second encounter by 1-0 at full time, squaring the 2-tie play off.
The match was a tough entertaining contest between two evenly matched teams, and it was always going to go down to the wire.
Sadly for Zizwe, this would be their third consecutive loss in a play-off and to go down in a penalty shoot-out was a bitter pill to swallow.
For Young Bafana, to win the Western Cape region is a first in their very first attempt.
“What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that early in the season, after a couple of games the coach, assistant coach and several players decided to leave,” the club informed the public in a statement.
“However, the new coach, Ashraf Calvert, had other ideas, and with the support of his players and staff turned the season into a huge success.
“Asked what his aim was when he took the team over, he replied ‘to win the league’, and how prophetic this turned out to be!”
Young Bafana will now travel to Durban to compete in the National Regional play-offs where two finalists will gain promotion to the National Second Professional League.
These play-offs are tough and uncompromising with a lot at stake, but Young Bafana have shown a fighting spirit this season and will be going all out to secure promotion.
“Victory for Young Bafana was a just reward for hard work and commitment, but more importantly a massive boost for the young aspirant footballers in the Helderberg area who now have a goal in mind – to represent a team in the senior professional ranks.
So hearty congratulations to the players of Young Bafana, the toast of the Helderberg!”
