Royal City hold their own to clinch victory

Royal City denied Schoemansdal Junior Aces a place in the next round of the Nedbank tournament when they held on to a 1-0 victory.

Leading towards the knockout final of the day, Junior Aces battled against Sambo United but failed to find the winning goal in the first half despite endless attempts. Sambo United seemed to be the better side, taking the game to Aces and forcing them to defend for a good half of the game. Junior Aces were threatening to score but clumsy work in front of the goal, sent the ball far and wide.

They were playing defence and relying on the element of counter-attack which allowed them to send the ball up the opposite side and the chance for their strikers to stretch their muscles.

The game went into halftime goal-less, and Aces substituted a slower, yet much taller striker than the previous one.

Their long passes into Sambo United’s 18-yard area eventually, resulted in Tom Nhlanhla heading the ball into the net from a free kick outside the box.

Ten minutes later Sambo United were given a lifeline when the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Sibusiso Mashele stepped up and put the ball into the net to force the game into extra time.

Much was said by players and supporters about the game going into extra time rather than being settled on penalties, considering that the winning team still had to face Royal City in the final.

Nhlanhla came out tops for Junior Aces once more in the the first half of extra time, putting his head to good use once more and heading in the ball to give Junior Aces a 2-1 victory.

Despite playing against a well-rested and highly motivated Royal City who were fresh from trashing Magogeni Liverpool, 5-1, Junior Aces didn’t make it any easy for their opponents.

Junior Aces continued were they left off with Sambo United when the game started, and were awarded a goal-scoring opportunity in the box.

With no one except the goal kicker to beat, Siyabonga Sithole, sent the ball wide.

Royal City responded by scoring the only and winning goal of the final.