Battle of the Alex star wars ends in stalemate

A typical battle of the stars is what football lovers in the iconic township of Alexandra got this past weekend of April 21.

This was when Loyo Stars and United Stars dished out a brilliant soccer feast during their Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association Promotional League match played at the Number 3 Square Grounds which ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

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Loyo came from behind twice to grab a share of the spoils, the second being the sweetest as it came right at the stroke of full-time. As the Loyo strike rattled the back of the net, the referee also blew his whistle to signal the end of the game to yet another festival atmosphere as scores of fans invaded the pitch to mark the end of the star wars.

This included Loyo coach Raymond Khuzwayo, who was also mobbed by jubilant fans who had resigned themselves to yet another defeat from the boys of coach Sakhile Zulu of United Stars.

The atmosphere was more of a festival of football as excited fans of both sides were overwhelmed by emotions and could hardly hold their horses and poured onto the pitch in celebration each time a goal was scored on each side.

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The match was a highly charged affair and well-balanced in terms of play and both sides missed chances although those of United Stars were slightly higher than those of Loyo and ball possession can easily be distributed overall for the match as standing at 50-50.

The match kicked off with United Stars’ Nhlakanipho Mncube testing the keeper less than a minute into the start which was immediately followed by hard-working teammate Kabelo Rakosa being tripped in the box.

Thabiso Mangoaela stepped up to take the penalty and scored and Loyo’s Matlou Matome scored at the stroke of halftime from the mistake of a United Stars defender who failed to clear the ball and it went straight to rattle the back of the net with the keeper fully stretched in a dive but could not reach the ball.

The second half was much the same, with Loyo’s Number 4 (not in the team sheet) being tripped on the edge of the box and a free kick was awarded but Loyo failed to make use of the opportunity as the ball was hit straight onto the defensive wall for a corner.

Njabulo ‘NJay’ Shabalala struck a beauty of a goal to put his side back in the lead but Loyo was not to be outdone as Number 11 (not on the team sheet) out-jumped everybody and headed home a free kick to level the score 2-2. Before the players could even stage a celebratory act, the referee blew for full time and all hell broke loose as delighted Loyo fans and coaches invaded the stadium.

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