Ma-Africa FC’s campaign in the Bambisana Cup came undone at the Alex Safe Hub on January 10, when a crucial penalty handed Gomtown Boyz the equaliser that eventually forced the game into a shootout.

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Despite leading early and showing resilience throughout the game, Ma-Africa bowed out 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Coach Rendani Mukheli admitted that the turning point was the penalty that cancelled out his side’s lead. His team had started strongly, with Thapelo Mofokeng opening the scoring to put Ma-Africa ahead, but a few minutes later, Gomtown Boyz struck back from the spot, shifting the momentum and denying Ma-Africa what could have been their first victory of the year. “That penalty cost us a lot. I bet, had it not been for that penalty, we would have won that game 1-0, but a game is a game of opportunities. If you do not convert the opportunities, then the opponent is going to come and finish you, so we have to learn from our mistakes.”

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Although Ma-Africa fought hard to contain Gomtown for the remainder of the match, the contest dragged into penalties, where Gomtown’s composure sealed the win.

Mukheli revealed he had not been optimistic before the fixture, given the team’s limited preparation. He shared that training only resumed on January 6, with poor attendance until just days before the match. Yet, contrary to his concerns, the players delivered a performance that impressed him. “As I have said, they did not train enough and there is this thing of muscle fatigue. They were tired, because if you don’t train, believe me, you can’t play 90 minutes, but, I applaud our goalkeeper, he saved us a lot.”

He said his side’s Saturday performance showed that they wanted to play and win. Even in defeat, the coach believes the match showed the squad’s potential, and also highlighted some issues they have to work on. “We just need to brush here and there. We are going back to the drawing board to fix all our mistakes.”

Mukheli believes that the penalty may have cost them the game, but the performance proved they can stand toe-to-toe with Alexandra’s toughest sides.

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