This weekend African Connection vies against the other top women’s soccer sides in the province for a chance to compete in the big league.
This weekend African Connection vies against the other top women’s soccer sides in the province for a chance to compete in the big league.
Representing Cacadu at the provincial play-offs, the six-times regional champions hope to secure a spot in the Sasol League, the top women’s club league in the country.
Team manager Chris Totobela says although Cacadu is hosting the play-offs, the event will take place in Jeffrey’s Bay. While disappointed that Grahamstown fans won’t get to see their favourite women’s side in action, Totobela says they’ll do their best to represent the region.
Although African Connection won all their games and conceded only one goal during the 2013 regional league, Totobela however believes the chances of his side winning the play-offs are slim.
Not lacking confidence in his side, the manager believes the standard of soccer in the Amatola and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan regions is on a different level to Cacadu.
While he has tried to arrange friendly matches with stronger sides over the past few months, none have materialised.
The teams are either unavailable as it’s their off season, or they aren’t willing to travel, he says. Trekking to other towns is also difficult for African Connection as they don’t have a travel sponsor or a transport budget for friendly games.
While this weekend’s match times are still to be confirmed, African Connection will first play Nelson Mandela Metropolitan’s Mustangs. Their second match will be against the Amatola champions. The winner of the play-offs will receive automatic promotion to the Sasol League.
