Motsepe Foundation Championship debutants Hope FC have moved within a point of leaders Cape Town City FC after a late win over Hungry Lions, but head coach Clayton Daniels says it is too early to talk about a title challenge.
Saturday’s victory was Hope’s third in a row and extended their unbeaten run to six matches. The Immortals have 20 points from 10 games, with Cape Town City and Magesi FC both on 21 after the Citizens were held to a 1-1 draw away at Upington City.
Hope won two and lost two of their opening four matches, suffering away defeats to Vusumuzi Vilakazi’s Highbury FC and crosstown rivals City. They have since won four and drawn two, picking up most of their points at home this season.
“No, I won’t say [we’re title contenders]. We’re only 10 games in. So, it’s still a long way, 20 games, so we take it one game at a time,” Daniels told FARPost.
“But the performance is good. The growth is good for the club. The players are finding their rhythm. And yeah, let’s take it one game at a time.”
HOW DANIELS PLANS TO USE THE NOVEMBER FIFA INTERNATIONAL BREAK
Daniels plans to use the international break to give game time to players who have seen limited action this season, while allowing his regulars to recover.
Having helped Cape Town Spurs earn promotion to the top flight, Daniels knows how demanding the second half of the season can be. He expects clubs to strengthen their squads and wants his fringe players ready when called upon.
“Yeah, obviously it’s for the guys that weren’t in the squad that haven’t been playing a lot of minutes. And much of my focus is on them also, to get them some game time, get some friendly games to get them up to speed because the group is going to be tested,” he said.
“You know how this league is in the second round. The teams are changing left, right and centre. So we must just get the other players up to speed, and for those guys to recover, we still need to keep the level there, the intensity.”
Hope return to action on 21 November when they host Real Native FC, formerly known as Casric Stars. Native sit fourth, ahead of fifth-placed Hope on goal difference.
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