Mlambo RC still fight to defend and retain title

Two late goals saved Mlambo Royal Cubs from being knocked out of the TSB Selati Cup at Driekoppies Stadium on Monday.

The defending champions were first on the attack when they were awarded a free kick outside of their opposition’s, Driekoppies Eastern Stars, box.

The shot effortlessly made it past the wall of defenders, and seemingly beyond the goalkeepers reach, only to be kept out by the crossbar.

Eastern Stars begun taking the game to Royal Cubs, causing problems for their defenders and finding holes past the team’s midfielders.

Cubs responded to the pressure by creating more scoring opportunities, which seemed to all go wide at goal, or fall into opposition’s last form of defence.

Eastern Stars were rewarded for their efforts when they went into the half-time interval leading 1-0, and looking to have one foot in the last 62.

When the second half got underway, Royal Cubs came back desperately looking for an equaliser, 15 minutes after the match resumed the defending champions were stunned when Eastern Stars extended their lead.

Royal Cubs were now trailing 2-0, and in desperate need of goals.

With 15 minutes remaining before the 90-minute mark, after persistent knocking on Eastern Stars’ front door, Royal Cubs were eventually let in, and score a much-needed goal.

Ten minutes later some impressive tactical wing play by the defending champs caught the opposition’s defence one legged. Just long enough to find the goal which levelled out matters and took the match to penalty shoot-out.

Royal Cubs were the better side, finding the back of the net enough to win the match 3-1 on penalties.

Speaking to Corridor Gazette after the match, Royal Cubs head coach, Professor Ngobane, admitted that their counterparts had come well prepared for the encounter and had they felt the pressure.

He said, “The game was very, very tough. Our opponents were well prepared for the game. Somewhere we felt the pressure, but at least we managed to respond. Although it was difficult, this just went to show that there were no easy opponents in this tournament. People want to beat us every day, but that is the price we must pay as defending champions.”

Ngobane concluded that his boys intended on defending and retaining the title, and to do so they needed to make it to the final.

“We want to defend the cup, that is why we fight even when the chips are down we try to push hard to force our opponents to make errors. It shows that we want the cup. That is the mandate,” said Ngobane.