THE diminutive Joseph 'Messi' Maphuruma of Iphutheng Primary School scores the winning penalty to beat Ithute 2-0. They were tied one all in the ninety.
Iphutheng Primary School is still the football champions of Alex primary schools for the second year in a row.
The soccer team showed their sporting pedigree by successfully defending their championship title of the Discovery Alex U12 Schools League. The school beat its neighbours, Ithute 2-0 on penalties after they were level at one-all in the ninety.
The rules of the competition stipulate that the schools play 15 minutes each half and if they still tied, they then go straight to penalties in the final match of the league played at the Three Square Sports Facility.
If they are still tied after three penalties each, they then go into sudden death penalty kicks. But this game did not go that route as Iphutheng scored both their penalties while Ithute missed one and the other was caught by the Iphutheng goal keeper.
First to register his name and that of the school in the score sheet was the celebrated star of Iphutheng football team, the diminutive Joseph ‘Messi’ Maphuruma. Ithute found the equaliser in the dying minutes of the second half which sent school mates into a frenzy as they sensed victory that was not to be.
Iphutheng were a better side in the first half as their ‘Messi’ piled pressure after pressure in search of the goals. The tables turned in the second half and it was Ithute’s chance to pile the pressure which was deservedly rewarded in the dying minutes with an equalising goal.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, chairperson of the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association Maisha Molepo paid tribute to Discovery for its sponsorship of the schools league that is in its third year.
“I would like to urge Discovery to seriously look into the possibilities of including the girls in the tournament. I know we have spoken about this many a times before, but I am just emphasising the point and need for the inclusion of our girls in this magnificent tournament,” Molepo said.
IPHUTHENG captain and star of the team Joseph ‘Messi’ Maphuruma shows what he is made of as he dribbles past three Ithute defenders (in blue).
ALEX resident and Bidvest Wits development coach, Caesar Maphalla (blue cap) and Alex football official Percy Ndaba (blue top) hand medals to the winners, Iphutheng Primary School team.
CELEBRATION of the winners … Iphutheng Primary School team enjoys the sporting glory after retaining their championship title for the second year in a row.
IPHUTHENG Primary School principal Kgamaka Thobejane is among those celebrating the win of his school to retain the champions trophy.
AN ITHUTE Primary School player misses the posts in his penalty strike, while another penalty taker’s kick was saved by the Iphutheng keeper.
ALEX resident and Bidvest Wits development coach, Caesar Maphalla (blue cap) and Alex football official Percy Ndaba (blue top) hand medals to the winners, Iphutheng Primary School team.
CELEBRATION of the winners … Iphutheng Primary School team enjoys the sporting glory after retaining their championship title for the second year in a row.
ALEX resident and Bidvest Wits development coach, Caesar Maphalla (blue cap) and Alex football official Percy Ndaba (blue top) hand medals to the winners, Iphutheng Primary School team.
JOSEPH ‘Messi’ Maphuruma is at it again as he torments the Ithute defence each time when he has the ball. They don’t call him ‘Lionel Messi’ for nothing.
IPHUTHENG captain and star of the team Joseph ‘Messi’ Maphuruma shows what he is made of.
TEAM mates mob the diminutive Joseph ‘Messi’ Maphuruma to congratulate him soon after scoring the winning penalty.
WHILE others celebrate the victory of Iphutheng Primary School, this Ithute schoolboy (in blue skipper) is so dejected he had to put his hands over his head in disappointment.
IPHUTHENG Primary School principal Kgamaka Thobejane is among those celebrating the win of his school to retain the champions trophy.
IPHUTHENG captain and star of the team Joseph ‘Messi’ Maphuruma shows what he is made of as he tries to dribble past three Ithute defenders (in blue).
DIMINUTIVE Joseph ‘Messi’ Maphuruma of Iphutheng tears-off from the Ithute defence on his way to scoring the opening goal.
CELEBRATION of the winners … Iphutheng Primary School team enjoys the sporting glory after retaining their championship title for the second year in a row.
DIMINUTIVE Joseph ‘Messi’ Maphuruma of Iphutheng tears-off from the Ithute defence on his way to scoring the opening goal.
CELEBRATION of the winners … Iphutheng Primary School team enjoys the sporting glory after retaining their chasmpionship title for the second year in a row.
THE diminutive Joseph ‘Messi’ Maphuruma of Iphutheng Primary School, who is also the captain the soccer team and was the first to register his name and that of the school on the score sheet, is awarded the champions trophy and soccer balls for the school.
THE diminutive Joseph ‘Messi’ Maphuruma of Iphutheng Primary School scores the winning penalty to beat Ithute 2-0. They were tied one all in the ninety.
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