After a successful debut in the Eastern Local Football Association (ELFA) Premier League where the club finished in the second position, Benoni-based Football Club Benfica (FCB) lined up in the ELFA Premier Cup final against a very determined Impala FC team on September 8 at Northern Areas.
After 15 minutes, when both teams felt their way around each other, Benfica upped the ante with a period of dominance that saw them hit the woodwork twice and narrowly missed a few more chances.
This dominance was taken into the second half and resulted in a beautiful first goal through Thabiso Maboya who cut through on the left wing to neatly finish in the far corner.
A second goal was headed in by veteran defender and club captain Rashaad Patel, set up by a great corner kick from Charles Nyelethi.
Through continued pressure Benfica earned a well-deserved penalty with another veteran, goalkeeper Shahid Ebrahim, stepping up to take the kick, but blasting wide.
This spurred Impala on who, with a second lease of life, grabbed a goal in a scramble in the box which set up a tense last ten minutes.
In the end, Benfica held on to win 2-1 and ended the season as ELFA Premier Cup winners, marking a successful 2018 for the team and club.
Player of the Year for the seniors is Mkhari Nkosi and the highest goal scorer is Riyaadh Raju.
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Wins galore for Benoni’s Football Club Benfica
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