Triple finalists and undisputed Premier Cup kings, Cape Town Spurs FC, winners in 2022 and runners up last year, are once again winners in 2024 following a convincing 4-1 win against FN Rangers St Agnes in Monday’s bumper final, at Athlone Stadium.
For coach Tyren Arendse, a former Premier Cup winner with Santos in 1999, it was all about making sure the players kept cool under pressure. “Monday’s final was more about calming the nerves and excitement to play in a final in front of 15 000-plus spectators,” he said.
“They worked hard the previous day, playing two tough games, so mentally, we had to prepare them well. Ultimately our quality showed and we managed to beat FN Rangers, who did well to make it to the final with top teams involved. It shows Cape Town’s quality,” he said, happy with the result and quick to congratulate his opponents.
Born in Elsies River, before moving to Blackheath at the age of seven, Arendse is all too familiar with the journey of getting to the finals.
From playing church footie and schooling in Kleinvlei, to joining Eerste River United and ultimately Santos’ under-19 side, Arendse has certainly been there, done that, lifting the Premier Cup trophy before going on to have a stellar career with various PSL clubs including Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates and three appearances for the national team.
“For me, the Bayhill is special as some of the best in the country take part. The last time I was involved, I won it as a player, in 1999 with Santos. This time as a coach,” he said.
“Last year we lost in the final after winning in it the year before, so the boys wanted to do better. Nine players in this year’s squad were involved in last year’s cup final loss against Grassy Park,” he said.
En route to the finals, Spurs beat Nyanga’s Everton FC in their opening group match, followed by a 5-0 win against Velocity Football Academy and a 2-0 defeat against KwaZulu Natal’s Shayamoya Academy.
They beat FC Real 5-0 in the last round of 16, Young Bafana 1-0 in the quarter-finals and Mamelodi Sundowns 4-2 on penalties in their semi-final clash.
Captain Denzel Du Plessis opened the scoring in the final match against Rangers with a well-taken penalty, followed by a goal each from Gennaro Brock, Jeandre Gaffoo and Faiz Abrahams.
Rangers marksman Sergio Fransch pulled one back but it was too little too late.
Arendse has spent the last few years with this particular side, taking them from under-14 to under-16 to Diski and ABC Motsepe level.
“I love seeing how the boys develop and grow to become better footballers as well as human beings, because as a club we put a big emphasis on instilling our values and making them better people,” he said.
My advice to young footballers is to keep working hard, always try to improve and get better,” he said
“I will say to any young footballer, put as much effort into your school work as you would into your football. To make it as a pro in football is not guaranteed, but a good education opens doors to provide for you and your family,” he said.
