MZOXOLO BUDAZA
Kronendal sports field was put to a rigorous test at the weekend as 19 senior squads took to the pitch in the Good Hope Local Football Association’s inaugural Bischopsford Football tournament.
Bad weather put a bit of a damper on the action on Sunday following the previous day’s opening fixtures as matches were called off due to heavy rain. Games were set to resume later in the week.
Among the early favourites were Mighty Reds who faced Eleven Experience in arguably one of the most exciting matches in the round robin stage. The game kicked off at a hectic pace, with both sides playing with lots of energy, but the Reds youngsters slowly began to dictate matters in the later stages.
Their hard running captain Asonele Ndilele and the highly creative number 10 Sindile “Neymar” Mposelwa were particularly impressive as they dominated things on the left and the centre of the field respectively.
They harassed Experience players through out the opening stanza and their team deservedly went to the half-time break leading 2-0, following two well-taken first half goals.
Experience had a chance of pulling one back when they were awarded a penalty early in the second half, but attacking midfielder Siphelele Moni missed his spot kick.
The Reds goalkeeper Simon Mkandawire was also in fine form, saving everything that came towards his posts.
“Basically, our pace down the flank was too much for them and the age played a big role,” said the Reds coach, Tazzman Mgedezi, whose side went on to beat African Brothers 5-4 on penalties following a goalless drew in their quarter-final match to book a spot in yesterday’s semis against Soft Killers.
The match was still in progress at the time of going to print. The winner will take on Rising Stars who beat Zim Stars 2-0 in their semi-final.
Speaking on behalf of the LFA, the provincial sports department’s community development worker Kenny Tokwe said the aim was to make the tournament a bi-annual one in the near future.
He also urged other religious organisations to come on board and contribute in the continued development of sport.
“We saw, in terms of the crowed that gathered here at the weekend and response form the teams, that people of Hout Bay are sport mad. “Remember it is not only football, we also have netball and we need to invest in that too,” he said.
The finals, including the plate and mid-sections are due to take place on Sunday August 28. Kick-off is at 10am. For more details, call Kenny Tokwe on 083 486 9667 or Sitembele “Stera” Jongiwe on 082 974 5883.
