Skates Mbatha’s nimble foot mesmerises
JOBURG - Alex United midfielder, Katlego 'Skates' Mbatha showed just what he's made of and why he is regarded as one of the best holding midfielders to come out of Alexandra in recent years.
Alex United midfielder, Katlego ‘Skates’ Mbatha showed why he is regarded as one of the best holding midfielders to come out of Alexandra in recent years in his team’s game against Lerumo United.
Mbatha was brought on in the second half as a substitute for the injured Mfanafuthi ‘Isidlakela’ Mboma at a time when United was leading the Daveyton side 3-0 in this ABC Motsepe League match played at the Balfour Park Stadium.
Although he came on when his team was cruising with goals from right winger Collins Zimba, Mboma and Kagiso Senamela, Mbatha proved why many consider him to be one of the most nimble-footed midfielders in the league by scoring his side’s fourth goal in the 4-1 win.
He lived up to his nickname, skating with the ball as he dazzled the opposition with his deft touches and slick passing, attributes which endeared him to the spectators as well.
“Skates is one of the deadly weapons in our arsenal,” said Hope City Giants coach Tracy Lee-Pepper. “I am overwhelmed by happiness though I still feel we shouldn’t have conceded at all. I brought in Skates to unsettle the opposition defence and he did just that.”
United had started the game like a house on fire and could have scored in the first minute if Chadley Jacobs, who returned to the team after serving suspension, had not missed one of the easiest scoring opportunities.
Mboma had another chance in the second minute to put United in the lead, but his header was easily collected by the Lerumo keeper. Hope City Giants mounted attack after attack in search of an early goal and were rewarded in the sixth minute when Zimba headed home a cross into the box. This was followed by a goal from Mboma in the 12th minute with Senamela adding the third in the 27th with one of the easiest tap-ins, and Mbatha finishing the job with a volley in the 75th minute.
The visitors found the back of the net for their consolation goal in the dying minutes of the game from the boot of Siphiwo Nkanini. Their coach Steve Macfarlane was far from pleased with the performance of his boys on the day. “We had a game plan and they never stuck to it and hence we were humiliated like this.”
