A Mayibuye soccer team defeated the mighty Umlilo FC soundly.
Surprise FC coach Mr Lihle “Feleba” Zulu said the top 8 soccer tournament was a tough one.
“We played three teams. Our first clash was against a Tembisa ward 7 soccer club. For the first half of the game they were leading 1-0, but we equalized in the second half. The draw led to a penalty shoot out and we won 5-4,” said coach Feleba.
He said their second match was against Sebola All Stars and the coach acknowledged that their opponent’s skill was too good for them.
“They led 1-0 and we equalized in the second half. In the last 10 minutes of the game Jabulani ‘Sjava’ Msango scored the winning goal. We won 2-1,” he said.
In the final match, Surprise FC locked horns with Umlilo FC.
“Our opponents were skillful because their players play in professional soccer leagues. We had to contain them and absorb the pressure until they made a mistake in their defence. We therefore manged to score an equalising goal,” said Surprise FC’s coach Feleba.
Both teams had failed to score at the end of the first half.
Feleba replaced Chance Lebepe with Mandla “Gomez” Shabangu in the second half of the match.
“I also took out Bafana ‘Gusheshe’ Masango and put in Nomka Mogale.”
Umlilo FC was regulating the game and managed to score two goals.
Mandilakhe “Xavi” Jojo scored the first goal for Surprise FC, bringing the score to 2-1.
Lucas “Podoski” Rampele scored the equaliser, forcing the match into a penalty shootout. Surprise FC emerged victorious from the penalty shootout, winning 4-2.
The Surprise FC coach said the tournament was their last one for the year.
“The boys must keep fit over the holidays and be ready for next year,” said the coach.
Surprise FC’s players shared the winnings from the tournament as their early Christmas present.