STUDENTS MAKE TIME TO HAVE FUN AND SOCCER GAMES
By: Nobukhosi Tshabalala
Twitter: @n_tshabalala_
Email Address: ayakhosi32@gmail.com
Despite their busy academic schedules, you will find Tshwane University of Technology students at Main Campus stadium. Glued to their sits watching and playing soccer. Sport creates friendships between people who would not normally communicate.
On the 12th of August 2022, Mr B Khuzwayo hosted Fakumoya Nge soccer tournament Top 16 at TUT Laduma stadium. Where the winning team gets R6000,and runner up will get R2000.The game was highly anticipated by both the organiser and players.
Soccer players from numerous team namely Muzinda,16 Boys, Little Manhattan FC, Lizard, the list goes on. Coaches and the organizer worked together to get students off the streets.
All the teams played and Top 2 was formed. Goals came from both teams, Little Manhattan FC and Muzinda but only Little Manhattan FC managed to score more goals.In the first half it was the pressure and defensive press by the fans that forced a rookie error by Muzinda in the box, which forced a foul.
However, it was from the first half where Muzinda took control of the game, especially in midfield where Rolani Mahlangu and Sanele Manzini had the better of the exchanges. Muzinda was caught cold in the first minute of the game when Little Manhattan FC defender Lucky Zono scored from a corner kick. From that moment onMuzinda created few clear cut chances with 3 attempts but managed to score 2 goals.
While Little Manhattan FC were the classier side from a name perspective, Muzinda got stuck in and actually created better chances. One from Muzinda player, Moshe Mabhena in the 29 minute hit the side netting and that made the team to panic. Little Manhattan FC made changes after half-time with Sbonelo Motsi and Sanele Ngcobo coming on for Lucky Zono and Thando Ntshangase.
Muzinda struggled in the final 45 minutes to create as many chances as they did in the opening half.
“It is very painful for us to lose the game. We didn’t have enough time to prepare for the game even though it isnot an excuse. We will go back to the drawing board and fix our mistakes. We accept that we lost,” said Muzinda Coach, Mr S Dlamini.
Muzinda was punished for their recklessness minutes later when Sbonelo Motsi completed his brace. Few minutes later, there was a moment of drama when referee Lungile Dube, who had allocated out few yellow cards until then, awarded Muzinda a penalty that was missed inside the box.
Muzinda continued to battle on, but the three misses had knocked the stuffing from them and when Sbonelo Motsi slotted in the sixth goal in extra time the game was complete.
Video: Nobukhosi Tshabalala
The overall performance of the game gave an impression of the two teams playing collectively with spectators behind the scenes. Blessing Mnyeni, Little Manhattan FC coach said, “The game was difficult and I saw where the boys lack. We will work on that but we are happy for winning and seeing progress.”
He further explained that the players have developed skills and in the next game they will have another strategy. The players of Little Manhattan were happy of the outcome and winning R6000 that will help the team financially.
The pace and intensity shown by Little Manhattan FC in the last 90 minutes earned the bragging lead of 6-3. With all the sweating and a difficult match, Sbonelo Motsi was awarded with the man of the match award for scoring the skilled goal.
Sbonelo Motsi, Little Manhattan FC player explained how happy he is about the players’ performance to the game.
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