MARK WARD
Former pro footballer and current assistant coach of FN Rangers St Agnes’ youth team, Marcelino Fransch, believes his chargers have an equal chance of lifting the Bayhill Premier Cup as any of the 32 teams competing in the Easter showcase.
Fransch’s impressive footballing CV saw him rise through the youth ranks at Standards United in Mitchell’s Plain before joining Cape Town Spurs to compete in the very same tournament where will now be coaching Rangers’ class of 2024.
He had further stints with his hometown club, the Heideveld-based Everton United before starting his Premier League (PSL) career with Hellenic FC.
Fransch went on to make a remarkable impact on the international scene when he scored a brace in South Africa’s 2-1win over Mozambique in the final of the 2008 Cosafa Cup tournament.
The 47-year-old pundit and head coach Warrick Hector have now teamed up to make a serious bid to clinch the 35th edition of the prestigious under-19 tournament for the first time.
The tournament gets under way at the Erica Park, in Belhar, on Wednesday March 27, when teams from around the city, country and beyond will battle it out for the honours, culminating in the finals set to be played at Athlone Stadium on Monday April 1.
Rangers find themselves alongside defending champions Grassy Park United, Namibia’s Windhoek Gymnasium and Leeds United in Group H.
Speaking during a practice session at the club’s headquarters at the Royal Road sports ground in Maitland, Fransch spelled out his side’s strategy of “fear no opposition” for his debut as coach at the tournament.
“There are no favourites in tournaments of this nature. It is my belief that our team’s chances are as good as any of the other teams taking part in the event. What I can assure you, we will be competitive.
“This is one aspect which we have worked on and that is to be competitive. I must just add even during my playing days, I didn’t really focus much on my opponents and that has not changed. I believe you play to your plans and strengths and make assessments on the park and adjust accordingly,” he said.
“What I’m very excited about is the fact that we only have three players who will not be eligible to play in our under-19 team next year. The rest will be with us for the next two years. We are working hard on our pipeline and with the talent at our disposal, we just got to get it right on the day,” said Fransch.
Rangers open their campaign against Leeds United on Thursday (1.45pm) and will then prepare to square-up against the champions Grassy Park in the main encounter at 8pm, just after the official opening ceremony on Friday March 29.
“As I said. I don’t really know the teams and you must remember teams change every year because of the nature of the tournament. But your academy teams are always in with a chance because they can attract top players and have more resources to practice more often,” said Fransch.
