FC Manu U11s defeat Thubelisha United 2–0 after tactical formation change
Young talents from FC Manu and Thubelisha United delivered an exciting clash in the U11 School Holiday Tournament, with FC Manu emerging victorious after a dynamic tactical shift.
Tsakani – U11 teams recently went head-to-head in the School Holiday Tournament organised by the FC Manu soccer team.
The matches took place at the Ext 5 Police Station ground. The determined clash between FC Manu and Thubelisha United kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
Both teams were committed to winning, with good coaching evident on both sides. Thubelisha United coach, Pule Khanyile, said that although his team did not win, he was proud of how they played.
“They listened to me and played well enough for me to congratulate them on their effort. We made a few mistakes, including poor communication and a loss of focus.
“After our opponents scored their first goal in the first half, we panicked, and that cost us,” explained Khanyile.
He said he plans to focus on key areas and address the mistakes during training.
“One of them is ball control. We tend to focus only on the ball instead of creating opportunities.
“We don’t pass the ball around as often as we should, and my players are afraid of making mistakes, forgetting that we learn from them,” he said.
The game ended with a 2-0 win in favour of FC Manu. Their coach, Bongani Modisane, said the first half was tough for his U11 players.
ALSO CHECK: Ekurhuleni reviewing 17 000 property rate objections from valuation roll 2025–2029
“Our opponents were stronger in the midfield. We changed our formation from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 and added a speedy player for higher attacking options.
“That’s how we managed to shift the dynamics of the game,” said Modisane.
He noted that his team’s biggest weakness was nerves, especially when facing new opponents. He said the players gave away too much possession, which put them under pressure.
“We made several changes in the second half. We added speedy wing players. That helped us take control of the game and put pressure on the other team.
“My players need to practice ball possession to maintain control during matches. Finishing is also essential,” he added.
