NIGEL – Cambridge Football Club claimed a hard-fought and well-deserved 3-1 victory over log leaders Benoni City in a thrilling encounter on February 14.

The teams faced each other as part of the Hollywoodbets Regional League at Jim Fouché Stadium in Nigel.

Bridges delivered a spirited performance to topple the league’s top side and secure an important win. Log leaders Benoni City met a team that wanted to show its mettle and prove its stan ding in the league.

Benoni started strongly by pushing the Nigel boys around in the opening minutes of the game. The home team handled the pressure well by playing neat combination passes, finding each other going forward, and creating opportunities in front of the goal.

The match was a tactical contest with no room for mistakes, which required both teams to maintain their discipline and move the ball patiently around the field. Both teams were looking for open spaces in in each other’s defence.

Cambridge opened the scoring with a great team goal that was booted in by Oupa Jnr Mbokazi. The second half was testing as the Benoni team made changes to get the equaliser, but the Nigel team stood firm.

Against the run of play, the Bridges captain, Banele Mkhwanazi, found himself in a good position to strike, bringing the Cambridge team to 2-0 with 30 minutes to play.

Bridges kept good ball possession, with the away team pushing more men forward, leaving them open at the back. With tactical changes, Cambridge put some speed on the wings and pushed the away team back.

The changes made an immediate impact as the right back Banele Dunge played a cross that was pounced on by Mbongiseni Messi Dlamini to put Cambridge three goals to the good with 10 minutes to play.

Cambridge was cruising against a very difficult opponent who didn’t give up until the final whistle. Their perseverance paid off as they scored a consolation goal when young keeper Banele Mthambama failed to hold on to the ball that was tapped into the goal, making the score 3-1.

Experienced coach Dennis Killa Metsana, who spent years at the club, helped restore the team culture.

“We are thrilled with the energy the boys are showing now, and can only thank the chairperson who stepped in to revive the team by bringing me out of retirement,” said Metsana.

“We are pleased about the points, especially against a tough opponent like Benoni. It’s never easy, but credit goes to the boys and the community of Nigel who back us in every match we play,” said Ignatius Maphike, Cambridge FC chairperson.