Duduza – Ama 2k clashed with AC Milan Springs at the Duduza Stadium on June 15, competing in the On-On Winter Games semi-finals.

Ama 2K coach Steven Makarina said the match was evenly contested, with both teams creating opportunities throughout the game.

Makarina said that both teams had chances, and there were moments where either side could have taken control of the match.

He also said that injuries affected his team’s performance.

“Unfortunately, some of our players picked up injuries, and we had to make substitutions earlier than planned. That affected our rhythm and the way we wanted to approach the game,” he explained.

Despite the setback, he praised his players for their effort and commitment on the field.

“I am proud of the way the players fought and represented the team. They gave everything they had and showed great determination,” he said.

Makarina also highlighted the importance of local tournaments in developing young talent.

“These competitions are very important because they give young players the opportunity to gain experience, showcase their abilities and compete at a higher level.

“The more they play, the more they learn and improve,” he said.

He added that platforms such as the tournament help prepare players for future opportunities in football while keeping them actively involved in the sport.

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The game ended with a win for AC Milan Springs, a score of 3-1.

Coach Bless Munikwa expressed happiness for winning, saying his team had a slow start to the match after arriving late and not having enough time to warm up.

He cited that once the game started, he told the players not to panic.

“We encouraged them to relax, settle into the game and take control from there. My team had studied their opponents and planned to use their fitness and energy levels to gain an advantage.

“We had watched them in their previous matches and noticed that most of their games went right down to the wire,” he said.

“Felt that if we stayed patient and kept applying pressure, fatigue would eventually become a factor.”

Munikwa admitted that his team made mistakes during the match, but was pleased that they managed to minimise the damage.

“As a team, mistakes are always going to happen. Fortunately, we were able to recover and continue competing. We had to make substitutions because of injuries,” he added.

“That disrupted some of our plans, but the players who came on worked hard and did their best for the team.”

Despite the challenges, the coach said he was proud of his players’ performance.