The mood inside Bayview FC’s under-19 camp is understandably optimistic, following a hard-fought 5-4 victory on penalties against Milano United to decide which team will represent Mitchell’s Plain LFA at this year’s Premier Cup.
The club’s official Premier Cup tournament kit handover takes place tonight, after they booked their spot in the competition with the win against Milano. The two sides played to a goalless draw but goalkeeper Mujahid Sabera’s heroics between the posts sealed the deal for Bayview.
Both sides were in contention for a Premier Cup berth, as Milano had initially qualified in 2019, along with the other qualifying teams, when they were crowned Mitchell’s Plain LFA under-18 champions.
However, Bayview threw their name in the hat when they beat Juventus 2-0 in last year’s MPLFA under-18 championship final to lay claim to a Premier Cup spot.
Club chairman Mark Rodrigues will take charge of the squad at this year’s competition.
“To be honest, as a club we had no expectations. Yes we had a very good year but that is only because of the management and coaches working hard together. We inspire each other to do better. So honestly, for us it’s about having fun and just doing our best.
Bayview has had an excellent year with its under-14 and under-18 sides winning the LFA leagues and representing Mitchell’s Plain LFA in the 2022 in the high performance leagues.
They were also runners up in Safa Cape Town’s 2021 under-18 Dennis Goldberg Cup, Engen quarter-finalists and winners of last year’s Stanturf Cup.
“We have a very balanced team; one of the best goalkeepers in Mitchell’s Plain, if not in the Western Cape.
“We also also have two very exciting under-17 players, one in the middle Liam aka Verdi and Alexander Oakers, very promising stars for the future,” Rodrigues said.