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SINK OR SWIM: Santos striker Erwin Isaacs. Photo: Tertius Pickard/Gallo Images

 We want to make history by becoming the first team from the Cape townships to play in the PSL 

United will be holding the aces after their 3-0 win over Thanda Royal Zulu on Wednesday. The Chilli Boys are on five points, while Santos have four, meaning that a draw will be enough to see them through to the promised land of the Absa Premiership.

The stakes are high. Clubs in the top flight receive a monthly grant from the league of R1m, while National First Division clubs get only R200000.

United have been in existence for less than three years and last season's campaign in the NFD was their first, having gained promotion from the Vodacom League the season before.

As far as soccer dynamics in the Mother City are concerned, United, a club from the heart of the townships, is what Cape Town needs. There is overwhelming evidence of a passionate following. For most football supporters in the Cape, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are teams of choice rather than Ajax Cape Town or Santos. Promotion for Chippa could go a long way in changing this.

"We want to make history by becoming the first team from the Cape townships to play in the PSL," said United captain and central defender Gift Sithole.

"The support and encouragement we get from the locals has been amazing. Our stadium is full every week and it makes it difficult for teams to get points from us. It's going to be the same on Saturday. Santos are in for a tough time. We've come this far in such a short time and now that we are almost there, nothing is going to stop us."

For Santos, league champions in 2001-2002, relegation is an unthinkable, yet very real possibility. The club has never been relegated from the top flight. Top performers like Erwin Isaacs, Eleazar Rodgers, Wayne Arendse and Salmaan King could also be lured away from the club.

Tomorrow could be a fateful day in their 30-year history.

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Mon May 20 13:54:36 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 29, 2012

Papage

Bring it on, let us see gore "Bossa ya Cape Town ke Mang"
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Jun 29, 2012

Tidoz

It's now or never for a team from the predominately black township in Cape Town. Now is the time for Chilly Boys... Tomorrow we will fill Phillipi stadium to capacity... Futsek Santos you've had your chance and you blew it, NFD is calling
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Jun 29, 2012

shakashaka

They claim to be a peoples team but for decades Santos have undermined black talent in Cape Town townships. The only player they manage to discover was Tando Mngomeni in nearly 20 years. Sinethemba High in Philippi has been the champions of Coca-cola school soccer tournament for 2 years back to back. Intsebenziswano High, also in Philippi has been provincial champions as well. Recently Chippas development team took Metropolitan under 19 team. But if I may ask, where is that talent? Santos never care to look. Their talent scouts just pass Philippi from Mitchells Plain to Landsdowne with anytime to have a look at those dusty grounds in Philippi.

They should go down without any mercy and come back a real people's team that will scout for talent not only in the so called coloured areas but also townships.
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