Umlilo FC emerged victorious in a top 8 football tournament at Kanana Sports Ground.
Xolani Mabuza, Umlilo FC coach, said in their final game Umlilo FC played against Mxo FC, which was a very tough team.
“They are quite a good team, they sat back a lot and therefore we managed to play our normal game. In the first 20 minutes, we were all over them because they couldn’t play. In terms of ball position we had 80 per cent but then we lost concentration after scoring our first goal,” said Xolani.
He said his boys became too complacent and Mxo FC managed to score the equalising goal.
Xolani said Umlilo FC had no injuries and no substitution in the first half and when the whistle blew for half-time, the score was 1 – 1.
“Our team was playing really well. During half-time, I told the boys to push more and play their passing combination game. We would then create chances and obviously get the second goal. When we got to the second half we tried to implement the strategy and we were awarded a penalty because our number six, Jack Mogese, got tackled in the penalty box.
“We scored the penalty and led 2-1,” said Xolani.
He said Umlilo FC’s captain, Thabo Kobola, mishandled the ball in the penalty and Mxo FC was awarded a penalty which they scored, bringing the score to 2-2.
“Thereafter I had to make a substitution where I introduced Shakira and pulled out Mapapa.
“Fifteen minutes before the final whistle Shakira scored the third goal. Putting Shakira in was a strategy that worked for us, it was a game-changing moment,” said Mabuza.
When the final whistle blew, the score was 3-2 in favour of Umlilo FC. We have been playing in the Kanana Top 8 Tournament and it is quite a good tournament, we will come back again.
“The tournament is well organised and this time around they had qualified referees and they handled the games very well,” Mabuza commented.
