A lack of heroes on the pitch has seen Cape football lose its soul
Image: BackpagePix
There was a phrase in the 1980s that went something like this: If Maties rugby is healthy, so is Western Province rugby and subsequently, so too, the Springboks.
It never quite transcended to football, but considering the last Bafana Bafana team to win AFCON back in 1996 boasted stalwarts such as Mark Williams, Shaun Bartlett, Andre Arendse and Andrew Tucker, who all hailed from the Cape, there is a discussion to be had.
And it just so happens that Bafana are currently enjoying their most successful period since the heady days of '96 whilst Stellenbosch FC are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Betway Premiership. However, Stellies' success should not mask the degeneration of professional football in the Mother City.
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Cape Town Spurs' potential second successive relegation to the ABC Motsepe League – the national third division – where they will join another fallen Cape giant Santos, pending an arbitration case, is an abomination.
Equally, Cape Town City's anxious wait to see whether they will be involved in the PSL promotion/relegation play-offs is another catastrophe.
A major city such as Cape Town cannot afford not to have a professional club in the elite division. It is integral for the youth to have a home team they have aspirations of representing one day. And it is here where I am going to borrow some golden nuggets from my former colleague, the Cape Argus football scribe and retired professional Rodney Reiners.
There are few who loved and devoted their lives to Cape football like Reiners. And his passion for it was often expressed here, as he regaled us with stories from the 1970s, 80s and 90s, particularly his affection for the original Cape Town Spurs and his beloved Santos.
Shaun Bartlett Former Cape Town Spurs striker Shaun Bartlett in action. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
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