Footballers show it’s all about the game

Ext 25 Masters FC from Vosloorus and K9 Football Masters showed good sportsmanship after their game ended 3-2 in favour of K9 Football Masters. The game started at 12pm at the home ground of Ext 25 Masters on Sunday, January 15.

Both teams were playing their first game after returning from the Christmas break. It was their 11th game of the Ekurhuleni Masters League. The teams surprised many when they wanted to take their photo together instead of separately.

Charlton Mthethwa, president of K9 Football Masters, explained, “We want to show good sportsmanship on and off the field of play. We want young stars to know that losing the game must not make players lose their temper and end up hurting each other outside the field of play. And even if you win, you must not undermine the team that lost the game.”

Mthethwa said losing or winning such games must not make anyone feel bad or special, because the purpose of the game is just to keep fit.

Speaking about the game, Mthethwa said the referee favoured their opponents with the second goal as it was an obvious offside.

“It should not have been allowed,” he said.

“I feel good about the results of the game because it shows that we are fitter than them. And we always beat them,” Mthethwa joked.

Sphamandla Mkhonto scored for K9 Football Masters in the first half. The second and third goals were scored by Rusu Simelane in the second half.

Ext 25 Masters official, Jacob Vilakazi said they lost to a good team that has been occupying the top of the log for a very long time.

“Our players were still rusty, considering the fact that the players were playing their first game after returning from the Christmas break. Our diet during the festive season was bad. I think that contributed to the team not living up to expectations. But you could see that during the second half we found our rhythm. We scored two goals after coming back from three-nil,” said Vilakazi.

Vilakazi concluded by saying he hopes that the team will play better as time goes on.

Ext 25 Masters’ first goal was scored by Mpho Boshelo and the second was scored by Sipho Mashazi.

The person who excelled in showing good sportsmanship was Ext. 25 Masters boss and coach, Boldwin Mabuya, who assisted opposition players when they got injured.