Kempton Park-based Lion Stars hosted a 14-team tournament at Sir Pierre Van Ryneveld High School on April 27.
Lion Stars took on Rangers City Spurs in their first game and dominated possession in the first few minutes of the game. Stars won the game by 2-0.
They created more goal-scoring opportunities and took more shorts on target.
Rangers City Spurs from Soweto gradually got into the game and started getting some possession.
They tried piercing the Stars defence with no success.
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Stars finally got on the scoreboard through Tapiwa Mavima after receiving a beautiful through ball in the eighteen area.
Stars were not done as their attacks intensified.
They got their goal through the individual brilliance of Owami Tati.
Being two goals down, Rangers had no choice but to defend less and start launching more attacks.
This left them vulnerable at the back, and the Stars almost took advantage, scoring another goal, but it was ruled offside.
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The Stars’ goalkeeper didn’t have much to do as the Rangers barely had any shots on target.
Stars managed the game perfectly and denied the Rangers from having much ball possession.
The Stars eventually reached the quarterfinals where they lost 5-4 on penalties.
The final game was between Kitoko Katsande Academy and Opopo Academy.
The game was intense as both did not want to make any costly mistakes.
After going pound for pound for most of the game, Kitoko Katsande Academy won 1-0.
Coach German Hopa of Lion Stars spoke to the Kempton Express about the aim of the tournament.
“Lion Stars Football Youth Development was established in 2014 and this year we celebrate our 10th anniversary.
“The aim of our academy and the tournaments we host is to take the boy child out of the streets and get involved in something that positively impacts their lives,” he said.
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He added that the academy is helping the boys get to the professional level, and they are still going to host tournaments that will make them better players and get them exposure.
“The season has already started, but we’re still taking in new players, and we will give them an opportunity to play for the team next season,” he said.
