Alex derby script rewritten as Ma-Africa halts Black Poison dominance
The Alex derby took an unexpected turn as Ma-Africa held their historic rivals Black Poison to a 2-2 draw at Alex Safe Hub, breaking Black Poison’s dominance in the rivalry.
For over a year, the Alexandra derby between Ma-Africa FC and Alex Black Poison FC seemed to follow a predictable script. Black Poison, with its imposing record, brushed aside Ma Africa with consecutive 3-0 victories in the Hollywoodbets Regional League, leaving little doubt about who owned the rivalry.
Yet this Monday, soccer, with its capacity for surprise, reminded many spectators who thought Ma-Africa’s defeat was written in advance, that past victories are no guarantee of future results. Ma-Africa fought hard to hold Black Poison to a 2-2 draw at Alex Safe Hub. While the outcome may not have been a win for any side, for Ma-Africa, it was a breakthrough.
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Black Poison coach Eric Paul entered the clash knowing he needed the three points to keep pace with second-placed Gomtown Boyz. But Ma-Africa’s coach, Lucky Zuma, had other plans.
Zuma has long insisted that setbacks do not define his side and that if given a chance to trouble an opponent, they will seize it. This became even clearer, not only on Monday, but also last week in their clash against Rangers, when Ma-Africa narrowly lost to the log leaders 2-3. Their fight was all the more commendable because they had been written off, at least according to Zuma.
“Everybody wrote them off, but the performance was out of this world. They gave 100% effort, and I am happy about it,” he said. He added that his players met every expectation, indicating they have improved a lot.
Now, Zuma’s ambition is to rise to the log’s top six. “We are looking at the top six because there is a chance of getting into the top six. Our focus is not on other teams but on ourselves. If we win our games, irrespective of what the other teams are doing, we will eventually get there.”
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He, nonetheless, admitted that they will not guarantee a win in all games, but if they get an opportunity to win, they will make good use of it to rise from their current 13th position.
Irrespective of how they perform in their next fixtures, one thing is certain: the draw marked a turning point. It rewrote the Alex derby script and has ensured that the rivalry’s next chapter will be anything but predictable.
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