Rock FC wins annual Easter tournament at Makhulong
Mathebula said this proved to Tembisa residents that his team was worthy of winning tough tournaments
Rock Football Club pocketed the R110 000 first prize at the Mosehla Easter Games (MEG) 2018 at Makhulong Stadium on April 2.
The team took part in the games under the banner of Zone 14 Football Club and proved to be the champions.
Rock FC coach Dennis Mathebula said they were grateful to Zone 14 FC management for giving them a chance to participate in the tournament.
“There wasn’t enough space for new teams to affiliate and Zone 14 FC gave us the opportunity to use their position. I feel very happy for winning the tournament and I am happy with the organisers,” said Mathebula.
He said it was the first time they played the tournament and in their first game they played very well. They won their first game against Timberland FC 4-2 and proceeded to win their second game against Kuze Kuse FC 4-3.
“It was difficult playing against Kuze Kuse FC because their players are playing in the league and they train every day. My team work full time every day and therefore don’t have enough time to train.”
Rock FC had three tough matches before the final match at Makhulong Stadium.
He said in the final match against G-String FC, his boys were a bit frightened of their opponents and they were tired, but they managed to pull through in the second half as they adjusted to the game’s momentum.
“Our opponents were leading 1-0 in the first half and in the second half they came back and scored a second goal. My team was in good spirit as they managed to score two goals to equalise,” said Mathebula.
He said his talk with the team during the break paid off and it showed his players took his advice.
“I told them to keep the same energy they had before halftime and said they must come back in full force the second half.”
Thirty minutes after coming back from the break, Walter “Ngiri” Ngobeni scored the first goal The Rock FC and the second was scored by Themba Chauke five minutes later.
When the final whistle blew the score was 2-2 and the game proceeded to a penalty shootout.
The final score was 3-1 in favour of Zone 14 FC (Rock FC).
Mathebula said this proved to Tembisa residents that his team was worthy of winning tough tournaments.
“I want to thank my boys for their hard work.”
