Defending champs eliminated
Northerns go out of the cup after defeat to Luso Africa.
Following their 2-0 defeat to Luso Africa, on Saturday, August 3, Benoni Northerns Football Club’s first XI were seeking revenge when the teams met again, in the third round of the ELFA Cup, on Saturday, August 10.
Luso, however, again proved to be tough opponents for the defending cup champions, who were beaten 2-1 on the day,and were eliminated from the tournament.
According to Flavio Mariuzzi, first team coach, the team played a lot better than they had the previous week, but could not overcome their “bogey team”.
Northerns have lost to their Primrose opposition on three occasions, this season.
“We fought harder in this match, but unfortunately things did not go our way,” Mariuzzi said.
“They scored a great goal from one of our mistakes and it was an old Northerns player who punished us with a spectacular goal.”
The goal came about 18 minutes into the first half.
Northerns managed to bag an equaliser when some terrific team interplay saw right midfielder Michael Edwards assist Manqoba “Shakes” Ngwenya.
Ngwenya placed the ball into the Luso net and it was game on from there.
Northerns started asserting themselves and number seven, Joel Nchbeleng, tested the Luso Africa goalkeeper with a good strike that was pushed over the crossbar.
The teams went into the halftime break at 1-1.
The Benoni team nearly took the lead when a Brogan Shrimpton header went agonisingly close.
It was, however, to be a soft goal, resulting from a defensive error that would end Northerns’ hopes of progressing in the cup.
“It was disappointing to go out like that and we will have to work hard to beat Luso next season,” added the coach.
Mariuzzi’s team will now focus on winning their remaining league fixtures.
They will play Pro Solutions, at Northern Areas, on Saturday, August 17, at 3.30pm.
