Local soccer heroes win two out of three games
The last game of the day, which featured the u/17 of both sides, was a goal feast. Barcelona went into the recess leading 5-0 and the visitors did manage to restore some pride when at one stage scored three goals to reduce the margin to 2-goals. The game ended 6-3 in favour of Barcelona.
Local developmental soccer side, Barcelona 2020 FC won two of their three friendly games against visiting Juventus FC from Tonga Village in the Nkomazi Local Municipality.
The games, which started earlier on Saturday morning, were held at Ka-John’s Sports Field at Ext 10 Phase II in Emjindini. First to compete under the scorching heat were the u/13s of both Barcelona and Juventus.
The game ended in a two-all draw and the lottery penalty shoot-out had to be ordered to determine the winner.
Qiniso Mazibuko and Bravo Mkhabela were the scorers for Barcelona in the regulation time while Juventus goals came via Sello Madonsela and Siyabonga Mashele.
During the penalty shoot-out, the visitors walked away victorious with a 3-1 score. Their penalty converters were Bonginkosi Mdaka, Jerry Sibiya and Ntokozo Mdaka while Mpumelelo Matsebula missed.
For Barcelona, only Mkhabela managed to rattle the net while Mazibuko, Bongani Shongwe and Siyanda Shongwe missed their chances.
Barcelona, however, did manage to salvage some pride in the u/15. They had to acquire the lottery penalty shoot-out to win. This was after the game also ended in a deadlocked two-all. Goal-scorers for Barcelona in regulation time were again Qiniso Mazibuko and Bravo Mkhabela while for Juventus were Mbuso Masinga and Nicholas Ndlovu.
Mkhabela, Mazibuko, Nassir Suamdo and Nkosinathi Msibi scored from the spot-kick for Barcelona while Masinga and Siphesihle Mngoza scored for Juventus with Maqhawe Khoza and Sethu Sifundza missing. Barcelona won the under-15 division 4-2 on penalty.
The last game of the day, which featured the u/17 of both sides, was a goal feast. Barcelona went into the recess leading 5-0 and the visitors did manage to restore some pride when at one stage scored three goals to reduce the margin to 2-goals. The game ended 6-3 in favour of Barcelona. Bafanda Ginindza was the hero for Barcelona as he scored a hat-trick with Musa Nkosi, Bongani Shongwe and Sifiso Simelane contributing each goal apiece.
Juventus goal-scorers were Mbuso Masinga, Sethu Sifundza and Trevor Mashele.
Coach of Barcelona, Lungile “Mambush” Mokone, said the friendly games were about developing friendship among both teams.
“Their visits (Juventus) is part of the exchange programme we have established with Classic where we want the boys to be exposed to different environment to the one they are use to. We believe that such events prepare the boys to participate in highly distinguished tournaments, as these events broaden their discipline and character, on and off the field, which will be invaluable to their future endeavours,” said Mambush.
