Alex U15 squad crowned champs of the inaugural Afrika Tikkun Champions League
The various champs of the Afrika Tikkun Champions League games in both netball and soccer are crowned and Alex took the gold in the boys’ U15 football.
Alexandra’s U15 squad was crowned champions of the Afrika Tikkun Champions League after thrashing its inner-city rivals 2–0.
The Alex squad, which was entirely composed of players of Norwood Young Stars, the winning team in the local version of the tournament, had earlier beaten Diepsloot 4–3 in the semi-finals to claim a spot in the final while Uthando, as the inner-city side are known after the Tikkun centre in Braamfontein, overcame an Orange Farm squad 2–1 to stake their claim in the final.
Uthando started the championship match like a house on fire and took the game to Alex with forays into their opponent’s goalmouth in search of an early goal but it never materialised.
This served as a wake-up call for Alex who replied to the onslaught with an opportunistic goal by its hardworking forward Thato Ndlovu, who, with Omphemetse ‘Yellow’ Mojele, literally carried the team on their shoulders.
It was Omphemetse who had a hand in Thato’s goal as he supplied the cross that found him in a good position that enabled one of the two stars of the tournament to etch his name on the scoreboard.
It was not long before Omphemetse also inscribed his name on the scoresheet. Both players attempted to obtain their braces in the game but the Uthando keeper stood firm and denied them the opportunity.
Played at the newly revamped but already falling apart Alex Safe Hub in 2nd Avenue just behind Alexandra High School, the match ended 2–0 and the Alex squad of the Norwood Young Stars team was crowned champions.
Asked why they decided to use the entire Stars team in the squad, Alex’s Tiger Matholengwe said it was a deliberate decision as the local football association wanted to keep the core of the team that won the local leg of the tournament.
“We believed this would give the boys the edge as they know each other very well, considering the nature of our prolonged local leg of the tournament and that we did not have enough time to assemble a squad, let alone train it. I am happy the decision paid off dividends and we avoided criticism,” Matholengwe said.
Diepsloot’s U13 side was crowned champions of that age division after they outclassed Uthando 4–0 in the final.
