Cape Town football has an exciting new dimension to it with the addition of newly-promoted Milano United to the National First Division.
'Eazy my Kinners' are one of four Cape Town NFD teams, the other being Santos, FC Cape Town and Vasco da Gama.
The clubs grounds, called Rooikrans, are the most southerly-located venue of all six top division Cape clubs.
Situated just two kilometres from the coast, the picturesque venue is surrounded by mountains on either side, with sand dunes at one end leading down to the beach, while there appears to a permanent haze in the air, adding to the slightly surreal atmosphere.
Meaning that, when the wind blows off the sea in the summer, it really blows. If up-country teams thought Athlone was bad, they haven't seen nothing yet.
On Wednesday afternoon Milano recorded their second straight home win as they beat Thanda 3-1, the conditions simply too much for the KZN side as they wilted in the second half.
The majority of the home side have been with the club for a few years, having risen through the ranks and chosen to live a positive life rather than falling victim to the various temptations on the Cape Flats.
They've therefore developed immunity against the wind and can run for 90 minutes despite the harsh conditions.
Players from other clubs simply cannot handle the conditions - home ground advantage is going to be worth a bagful of points to the club this season.
Not only will the wind be a factor, so will be the excellent support the club gets.
Milano have been one of the most-respected sides on the local amateur circuit for years now, and have produced some top players, including Erwin Isaacs and Shu-aib Walters, two amongst nearly a dozen players that have gone on to play in the PSL.
There is a real vibe on match day as throngs of people from the neighbourhood make their way to the expansive sports complex, filling the two tiny stands and occupying the hilly verge on the far side of the field.
The players are well-known to the supporters, and run across to their friends in the crowd, or those gathered round the boot of the car pumping out UB40's 'Red Wine' for a quick chat after scoring a goal.
Opposition players are also of course subjected to some choice Cape Flats lingo, adding to the difficulties away teams face.
By Anthony McLennan
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