In a run that inspired many supporters from all over and peeved over critics alike, Ubuntu Cape Town Football Club have been eliminated from the prestigious Nedbank Cup.
Everyone loves a good underdog story. David vs Goliath. Erin Brockovich vs The Pacific Gas and Electrical Company. Be it the pedigree of the opposition or the tenacity or never-say-die attitude of “the little guy”, underdog stories well and truly give us the feeling that whatever the obstacle is that stands before us is no match for to what exists within us. Ubuntu Cape Town Football Club holds a strong case for their inclusion to underdog status. Minnows in their footballing history (Ubuntu Cape Town Football Club was established in 2017), they were pitted against more revered and respected opposition in the Nedbank Cup. The Nedbank Cup to South Africans is what the Emirates FA Cup is to the English. Unpredictable in its nature, it pits the minnows up against the more established “big boys” in South African football with a chance to showcase their skills and a shot at glory. Glory in this instance? The R7 Million prize money.
Ubuntu Cape Town Football Club squared off in the opening round against PSL outfit Polokwane City and managed to come out 3-2 winners in the most dramatic fashion. It was then off to Durban where they came up against another PSL opposition in the form of Amazulu. It was yet again Ubuntu who prevailed as 3-2 winners in a tight match. The quarter final stages brought yet another PSL opponent, this time in the shape of Free State Stars. Ubuntu dominated and played an enterprising brand of football but ultimately it was the experienced men from Bethlehem who came out as winners in a 4-2 penalty shoot-out.
The two victories against the PSL opposition required immense fight and courage and an equal contribution from each and every player. Ubuntu possess a team that is a combination of youth and experience. Their squad consists of some players who have plied their trade in the PSL previously and are heading towards the closing stages of a glittering adventure, and some who are in the infancy stages of their footballing journey. One such player who has just recently begun his career is Ubuntu Football Academy graduate Jesse Donn. A native of the Fish Hoek region, Jesse joined Ubuntu when they first opened in 2011 and was offered a professional contract at the beginning of the 2017-18 National First Division Season (NFD). I sat down to get some of his thoughts on the Nedbank Cup run and just how the transition from the academy set up has gone.
JR: Debut Season in the NFD, how has it been going for you personally?
JD: It has been a season of learning. It wasn’t easy at the beginning as I was juggling finishing Matric and obviously playing for the club so it was a bit of a struggle. With the second half of the season, however, I think the struggle enabled me to reap the benefits as a player. I am definitely grateful for the difficult times as it forced me to become a better player and person.
JR: Having come up against three different PSL opponents, who would you rank as being the toughest?
JD: I didn’t play against Polokwane but I’d have to say Amazulu due to the threat they posed. They created more chances against us and even managed to score two goals against us. Added to that, we played them away which was another factor.
JR: You picked up the Man of the Match award (MoM) vs. Free State Stars despite your loss. Bittersweet moment?
JD: Definitely a bittersweet moment receiving the MoM, because I mean I was ecstatic to win the award but obviously devastated to have the lost the match.
JR: Any messages to the fans who have supported Ubuntu throughout the season?
JD: To the fans and families that have come out I’d like to thank you for coming out. It’s not easy to always get transport to games so overcoming those challenges just to come support us means the world. I’m fully confident we will stay in this league [National First Division] so I hope their support will continue throughout this season and into the next season.
Whatever the future holds, it bodes well for both Donn and Ubuntu in their battle to stay in the National First Division. Let’s hope for favourable results in order to prolong their fairytale debut season!
Ubuntu Cape Town- In Search of Humanity 