United Stars survive Black Poison fight to win Maimane Alfred Phiri Games U19 title
A dramatic restart saw United Stars blow a two-goal lead before holding their nerve in a shoot-out against Alex Black Poison.
United Stars clinched the Maimane Alfred Phiri Games U19 title after a 5–4 penalty shoot-out victory against Alex Black Poison at 3 Square Sports Ground on October 11.
The final should have been plain sailing for United Stars, who led 3–0 in the second half of Saturday’s match before inclement weather caused an abandonment.
Read more: Black Poison beat Royal Tigers on penalties to win MAP Games U17 title
The result was wiped out, forcing both teams to restart from level terms the following day. This was a bitter pill to swallow for United Stars.
Coach Sakhile Zulu said he had to be more than a tactician to get his players through the disappointment. “They were discouraged, but I had to be a father and a coach to them, and make sure they calmed down so that they could perform the way they did,” Zulu recalled. “It was not easy.”
His side responded in the best way possible, scoring twice in the first five minutes of the restart. Zulu said the early goals were designed to let his side settle with a cushion, but settling on the 2–0 lead nearly proved disastrous.
Black Poison, desperate to redeem themselves after Saturday’s set-back, battled severe fatigue after competing in the U17 match, the abandoned U19 fixture, and the Sunday restart, all within 24 hours. Still, they fought back. The tide turned 20 minutes in, when Bonkosi Sithole scored from a corner to make it 2–1.
Also read: Loyo Stars U15 claim Maimane Alfred Phiri trophy at 3 Square
Any mistake from United Stars could now have been fatal, and they almost paid the price when conceding a penalty just before half-time.
It was the moment Black Poison had been waiting for. Freddy Matsane stepped up with the weight of the occasion on his shoulders, but his spot kick struck the crossbar and stayed out.
“I was very angry because our left-back is our penalty taker, so we do not understand why he did not take the penalty,” said Black Poison coach Phathutshedzo Maseko. “That is why I was so angry, I was shouting at him for not taking it.”
Black Poison were not done, however. About 20 minutes into the second half, Lungelo Buthelezi found the net to draw his side level at 2–2.
The title was eventually decided on penalties, with United Stars edging the shoot-out 5–4.
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