League leaders Cape Town Spurs head coach Shaun Bartlett is hoping the windy and cold weather remains in Cape Town over the weekend, with Spurs set to face AmaTuks in their final Motsepe Foundation Championship game on Sunday.
It is a must-win game for the promotion hopefuls, as victory on Sunday would confirm Spurs’ return to the DStv Premiership. They are currently one point ahead of Casric Stars and two points ahead of third-placed Polokwane City.
It was five years ago this week that then-Ajax Cape Town were controversially relegated to the second tier, but the club now just one fixture away from a possible return.
There was a good positive energy at the training at Ikamva on Friday morning, as Bartlett, Nasief Morris and Calvin Marlin put their charges through their routines. It has been a cold few days in Cape Town, with the wind causing havoc, but Bartlett says he doesn’t mind the conditions and feels they could actually play in their favour.
“Well, hopefully, this weather lasts until Sunday!” Bartlett told iDiski Times at their windy and wet training on Friday.
“I remember the cup game against Tuks where we beat them to obviously to qualify for the main competition, and the first thing the coach told me was, ‘yoh, coach, my team can’t play in this wind.’”
Counting in Spurs’ favour has been their good home form this campaign, and Bartlett says the strong support they’ve got at every match has been key to this success.
“You know, our home form has also been unbelievable, having won 12 out of 14 games, and I think the twelfth man, what we’ve seen start from the beginning of the season, has been a massive force as well,” Bartlett continued
“The fans behind us are our driving force and inspiration when we find things a little bit tough, and hopefully Sunday they’ll come in their numbers and support us.”
They are expecting a decent-sized crowd on Sunday, and while Bartlett knows playing at home is an advantage, he says they are also not taking anything for granted.
“We’ve said to the players, we haven’t won anything yet,” he added.
“We’ve got to go on Sunday, and complete the mission, and stay number one come the end of Sunday, and obviously get that promotion back to the PSL.”
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Unfortunately for Bartlett two players are suspended for the game, while there are still a few injury concerns, but he is confident that those who are available will do the job.
“Obviously Morne Nel got his second red, so that’s three games, and the last one will be on Sunday, unfortunately,” Bartlett concluded.
“And then Rushwin (Dortley) picked up his fourth yellow card against La Masia, so he also won’t be available. So the two suspended players, and then obviously, a couple of injuries like Chumani (Butsaka), Tabiso Mpame and Eyona Ndondo. But it’s good to have Scottie (Granwald Scott) back in training, so let’s see who’s gonna be in contention for Sunday.”
