Vasco shift focus to league

RODNEY REINERS

Vasco da Gama, Orlando Pirates, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Second Division side Baroka FC are through to the quarter-finals of Nedbank Cup.

The remaining four quarter-finalists will be determined this coming weekend.

Vasco were good value for the 2-0 win over Platinum Stars in Rustenburg, Pirates were far too good for Second Division United FC in a 3-1 win, while Black Aces edged First Division Witbank Spurs 4-3. But the big surprise was in Polokwane where Second Division Baroka FC stunned PSL outfit Moroka Swallows 2-1.

In Rustenburg, Vasco showed tremendous resilience in defence and clinical enterprise in attack. They were certainly up for the Cup tie. The Parow-based side had made no secret of the fact that they would give everything to ensure a good run in this lucrative competition – and that’s what they did. Now, with a place in the last eight secured, anything is possible.

Saturday’s victory would also have been a fantastic morale-booster for Vasco’s league campaign, to which they return tomorrow evening.

Vasco take on Bloemfontein Celtic at Athlone tomorrow (kick off 7.30pm) – and they will be very well aware of the precarious nature of their log position. The Capetonians are currently in 13th spot of the 16-team PSL log, with 27 points from 25 games.

There are five games to go – but such is the tight nature of the season that the points difference between Vasco and the seventh position on the log is just five points.

The equation is simple: A good finish will shoot Vasco into a top eight spot, while a bad close to the season could, potentially, see Vasco dragged into a position where they will have to fight for their PSL survival via the dreaded promotion/relegation play-off.

Vasco coach Carlos das Neves has said that another five or six points should see them safe – and that is the main item on the agenda at Athlone tomorrow. Three points against Celtic should be the catalyst from which to launch a bid for the top eight come the end of the season.

Vasco have rediscovered the passion and courage that served them so well during the first half of the season when they surprised a few of the big teams. They went off the boil for a while, which is why they have been dragged towards the bottom of the table, but, based on the performance against Platinum, it’s looking good again.

The goals came from captain Keenin Lesch and Johnny Armogam, but it was a real team effort that got Vasco into the next round of the Cup.

With central defender Francois Adams injured, Das Neves threw in Angelo Julius as a replacement and the defender was solid and reliable. Rudi Isaacs continues to impress at right-back, Lesch was as industrious as ever, while the searing pace of Armogam is always a handful for the opposition.

Cole Alexander’s best form is returning in midfield, Malawian Josephy Kamwendo is a key man out on the left... and that man Sibusiso Zuma, well, what more is there to say?

Zuma was again the epitome of energy and enthusiasm. He’s 35 and yet the pace, the skill, remains as youthful as ever. Zuma is the beating heart of Vasco.

Tomorrow, Vasco will be looking for more of the same from the evergreen former Bafana star when they go in search of the valuable three points on offer against Celtic.

This week’s fixtures

PSL

Tomorrow: Vasco da Gama v Bloemfontein Celtic (Athlone, 7.30pm)

Wednesday: Santos v Platinum Stars (Athlone, 7.30pm); Sundowns v Ajax CT (Atteridgeville, 7.30pm); Free State Stars v Maritzburg; Black Aces v AmaZulu; Golden Arrows v SuperSport; Bidvest Wits v Kaizer Chiefs; Pirates v Swallows

Nedbank Cup last 16

Saturday: FS Stars v SuperSport; AmaZulu v Carara Kicks

Sunday: Bidvest Wits v Kaizer Chiefs; Liverpool v Black Leopards