Santos fancy promotion chances
Lekopanye Mooketsi | Friday February 20, 2015 12:17
Santos were relegated last season, but Ranku feels they can make it through automatic promotion or the play-offs. Jwaneng Galaxy lead the log and Santos are third. “We must win all our games,” he declared. Ranku believed that Galaxy are bound to hit a slump and they would capitalise. Santos have 26 points from seven wins, five draws and three losses. Santos are level on points with Black Forrest who are in second position while Galaxy lead with 31 points.
On Saturday, Santos registered a crucial 1-0 victory against Rolling Boys. The Santos coach conceded that life in the First Division is tough.
“They don’t allow you free movement as they are into man marking,” he said. He said although First Division teams are technically poorer they compensate with hard work.
Santos, which once became a nursery of the Premier League sides, is renowned for their good youth policy. This is how Santos came to be nicknamed ‘Ma14’ because of their belief in grooming young players. But, once established, their players never lasted in the team as other Premier League teams grabbed them. They have produced young players like Mogakolodi “Tsotso” Ngele, who became household names. Ngele is currently plying his trade in South Africa. During his time at Santos, Tsotso formed a deadly combination with his elder brother Godfrey Ngele.