Alex U19 girls squad crowned champions of Joburg
MAYFAIR - Alex U19 girls are crowned champions of the Sasol Safa Johannesburg region inter-local football associations tournament.
Soccer coach, Katlego Malaka believes that Alex women’s football has matured following the crowning of the U19 squad as champions of the Sasol Safa Johannesburg region.
The team conquered all in the tournament held at the Arthur Bloch Park Police Grounds in Mayfair.
“I am extremely proud of the achievements of the girls in this tournament. We have been battling in this tournament for the past couple of years and now we have finally conquered every team that stood in our way,” said a delighted Malaka after his team beat arch-rivals Soweto 2-0 to be crowned champions.
The women’s football squad was ruthless in their games as they opened their account in the tournament with a 9-0 walloping of Jowest. They also recorded a 2-0 victory over tournament hosts, Greater Mayfair on their way to the semi-final in which they beat Deep South 4-1.
Alex’s evergreen Zingawe Phakathi, described by spectators as being in a class of her own, scored the opening goal of the final. She was being used sparingly in the tournament after she picked up an injury in a friendly match in Alex the previous week.
Zingawe proved beyond doubt during the tournament why she deserved the recent call up to the national side, Banyana Banyama, with her plentiful skills.
The Alex U19 boys team who were defending champions flopped when it mattered most. They were beaten 2-0 by a determined and eventual champions, Eldos.
The Alex boys stand-in coach, Mxolisi Mngomezulu said their preparations for the tournament were not up to scratch as the coach who had been assigned to the side had to hastily leave for a trip to Durban. “We nevertheless look forward to bouncing back in next year’s tournament,” Mngomezulu said.
