SLFA crowns off-season winners
The ABC's U\15 team was crowned the champions after beating the City United
To keep fit, the Springs Local Football Association (SLFA) teams played in the SLFA off-season tournament.
After the end of the season, the teams’ officials organised the tournament for U/15, U/17 and premier teams.
The tournament started on June 8 and the final games were played on Sunday at the KwaThema Sports Complex.
The U/15 teams that played in the finals were African Ball Controllers (ABC) against City United.
An electrifying game started with both teams showing that they were physically and mentally fit for the game.
During the first half of the game, ABC was in control as it was leading by 1-0 following a goal scored by Emmanuel Mthango.
The ABC players seemed more relaxed during the second half, allowing City United’s Banele ‘Nash’ Nkosi to turn the tables as he scored an equalising goal.
The supporters for both teams became restless on their supporters’ benches, they shouted and sang the songs of victory, hoping to give more energy to the players while others were coaching them.
The second goal of ABC also came from Emmanuel 20 minutes before the end of the game.
Kabelo Skhosana of City United fought until he put the ball behind the net, equalising with ABC.
Because the time was against the players, both teams failed to score a winning goal for their teams which resulted in penalty shoot-outs in order to have a winner.
Each team had 11 players shooting penalties following both teams’ goalies failing to save a single penalty.
Just when the supporters were about to lose interest in the game, ABC’s goalie, Labane Mathebula saved a penalty shot by one of City United’s players.
The save automatically meant a win for ABC and the team was crowned the U/15 champions of the SLFA off-season tournament.
The U/17 championship was awarded to Ayoba-Yo-Youth Soccer Academy after beating Valencia 1-0 and the premier division champions are Flamingo FC after its 1-0 victory against Sanders United.
