Sparrows FA beat youthful Abagqilazi FC 2-1 in Springs Super League showdown
A tactical second-half adjustment helped Sparrows FA secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over youthful Abagqilazi FC in the Springs Super League.
Kwa-Thema – Super teams Sparrows FA and Abagqilazi FC went head-to-head in the Springs Super League on May 10.
Sparrows FA coach Skhulu Mazibuko said his team tried their best even though their opponents were stronger.
“We beat our opponents by experience. We needed more goals in the first half, but could not conceive because the other players were advanced.
“Defence lost the ball constantly, but we managed to score a goal in this half and broke the first half with a score of 1-1,” explained Mazibuko.
“During the half-time talk, I spoke to the defenders and made a tactical change by moving one of the midfielders into defence.”
The coach explained that the switch improved their ball distribution and field movement, which eventually led to another goal.
Mazibuko emphasised that the second half was far better but did not go as planned.
“Our opponents were far better than us; we just used experience to play this game,” he said.
The game concluded in a score of 2-1, a win for Sparrows FA.
“We have not won in a long time. This win gained us momentum and makes me believe that we will win more often.
“Most players were not available, but I believe once everyone is present, we will perform far better,” he added.
On the log, the team occupied ninth position last week. The coach said he would like to find themselves in at least the top five.
Abagqilazi FC coach Njabulo Nhlabathi said the first half went as planned. While Sparrows relied on experience, Abagqilazi FC proved that age is just a number.
They are competing in the Super League without a designated Super team.
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Nhlabathi is fielding a squad composed entirely of U17 players against older, more established divisions.
“The aim is to develop the players. Our objective is to see our own developing players play for established teams.
“I do not shout even when they are playing because they need to grow and make mistakes,” he said.
Nhlabathi’s coaching style is yielding impressive results.
“In the U17 league, my team has not lost a single game,” he said.
