The People’s Team departed the mother City on Saturday morning to the Nedbank Round 32 match in Limpopo.
The Santos squad had a light training session after landing in JHB and then travelled to Limpopo by bus. The task ahead is huge for the ABC Motsepe side from Cape Town as their opponents, Marumo Gallants, are plying their trade in the highest league of the country, the PSL.
Santos road to the last 32 saw them defeat fellow 2nd Division sides, Gansbaai City, Police Fc, Royal Blues, Black Cats and HBUFC not forgetting 3rd division log leaders, Hanover Park.
Gallants are coached by Dan Malesela who is well aware of Cape Town football and its players as he is a former head coach of Cape Town All Stars and Malesela has done well since joining Gallants in Nov 2021.
Head coach of Santos, Abduraghman Jacobs, only arrived at Thornton this season but made huge strides in assembling a new squad of players who have become a team unit with depth and character. Not all results have gone their way in the league but a memorable comeback against Clarewood JPM winning 3-2 after being down 2-0, showed their never say die attitude.
The People’s Team squad have a few seasoned campaigners who have a wealth of experience like, Junaid Trouncelle, who is the captain, Suhayl Allie, goalkeeper Stanton Weir, Shiraaj Davids and Charlton April. Although their experience shines through Santos also have the younger players currently on form like, former Cape Umoya player Riyaaz Nell and hard tackling Gershwin Esau.
The Santos camp is positive and eager to impress as they vow that they will rise to the occasion.
Wishing Coach Abduraghman Jacobs, Roger Fortune and their team all the best for Sunday
The match will be televised Live SABC1 and SS202 from The Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Squad :
1.Stanton Weir
2. Sameer Soeker
3. Glenville Africa
4. Junaid Trouncelle
5. Junaid Charles
6. Maurice Finck
7. Lukanya Malgas
8. Fabian Bezuidenhout
9. Jamie Craak
10. Gershwin Esau
11. Shiraaj Davids
12. Peter Wade Fish
13. Ray Marco Wildskut
14. Suhayl Allie
15. Curtly Poole
16. Charlton April
17. Slovo
18. Bulelani Tyimi
19. Riyaaz Nell
20. Matthew Petersen