VIDEO: MAP Games set for thrilling finale
ALEXANDRA - Maimane Alfred Phiri (MAP) Games are well set for a great football spectacle as the tournament goes into its final stages this weekend.
The Maimane Alfred Phiri (Map) Games are set for a great football finale as the tournament goes into its final stages this weekend.
The tournament reached the semifinal stages, where JT Black Stars locked horns with Newcastle United and House of Gomora battled Sun City Classic.
WATCH: Half time entertainment from the MAP Games:
JT Black Stars sent a strong message to other teams as they thrashed Newcastle United 4-0. The game started slowly with both teams giving nothing away. It was only in the 35th minute that Sbahle Mgwaba of Stars fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty. Cyril Muzambwe calmly slotted the ball into the top corner with the keeper having no chance.
Black Stars piled on the pressure and the floodgates opened as they put four goals past Zamokuhle Ngwenya of United. Mogomotsi Mokoka was at the thick of things as he grabbed a hat-trick and made sure that Black stars go into the second leg with a four-goal cushion.
The coach of Black Stars, Joe Ndlovu said, “I feel great, I am very happy for my boys as they stuck to the game plan, and the boys are disciplined. We are going to treat these games as two different games and we will not go there and defend, we will do our best to be in the final on Sunday.”
The other semifinal game saw House of Gomora losing by a solitary goal to Jabulani Mendu’s Sun City Classic. The star-studded Gomora side had the likes of former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Mthokozisi Yende and Alex United’s pair of Katlego Mbatha and Chicho Mabeba turning out for them.
The game was tightly contested and provided a great spectacle for the crowd as players from both teams displayed their calibre of skills with a bit of kasi flavour.
Mxolisi Mngomezulu, the assistant coach of Gomara said, “The guys played well. The score is not a true reflection of the game. What also attributed to our defeat was the surface, it’s difficult to do preparations here. Teams are playing during the week. We are optimistic that next week is going to be a different ball game.”
A second leg of the semifinals will be played on 11 July, with the final scheduled for 12 July at the Alexandra Stadium. Stars seem to already have one foot in the finals after their impressive 4-0 demolition of United.
