Loyo Stars fight back to beat Blue Aces 4-2, but coach isn’t pleased
With two games in hand and a loss still fresh from last week, Loyo Stars U17 coach says his side can't afford to underperform.
Even after his side scored four goals to walk away with a 4-2 victory, Loyo Stars U17 coach Alizwa Ngalonkulu said he was not content with his side’s performance.
Loyo Stars FC took on Blue Aces FC in an Alexandra Northrand Local Football League U17 clash at the Altrec Sports Complex on August 29, where the Stars pulled off an impressive comeback after trailing 2-1 at half-time.
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From the onset, Loyo Stars looked set for trouble after allowing Blue Aces’ Lesedi Baloyi the opportunity to open the scoring. Although Loyo Stars responded with a goal of their own, Blue Aces extended their lead when Baloyi’s shot bounced off goalkeeper Aphelele Chamane’s hands and fell to Mcebo Ledwaba, who easily slotted it into the net.
By the end of the first half, it was clear Loyo Stars needed something to shake them out of their slumber.
Loyo Stars stage a comeback
The second half played out differently. Baloyi conceded a penalty after fouling a Loyo Stars player inside the box, and Oageng Mabuela stepped up to convert, drawing his side level.
Loyo Stars then seized the momentum, converting the chances they created. Oluncedo Soga, running from the right flank, put his side ahead for the first time. With Loyo Stars leading 3-2, Blue Aces lost their shape and were left chasing an equaliser that never came, as Ndalama Ntshane sealed the win with a fourth goal for Stars.
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Coach unmoved by the scoreline
Despite a result some might call impressive, Ngalonkulu was unmoved. He said his players had been fortunate rather than clinical, and that the performance did not reflect what the team had worked on in training.
“They did not play the way they trained, and we are still in a crisis. We have two games in hand, and we lost a game last week,” he said.
Ngalonkulu believes that had his side executed what they had trained, the outcome and the manner of the win would have looked very different.
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