Stars snatch up cup in dying minutes

Packaging Stars were crowned the 2014 Tsetsebe Cup champions after an odd goal victory over Thula Thula on Sunday.

This came to light during the final of the tourney held at the TSB sports field. The clash started as a typical final with both sides starting the match as a caging affair, while going in search of an early goal.

Thula Thula caused problems for Packaging Stars in the opening 15 minutes but were unable to find the much-needed opening goal. Most of their shots went wide at goal and posed very light danger to Packaging Stars kicker, Themba Nkosi.

At the 30 minutes mark, both sides were equally drawn as most of the time the ball went no further than midfield. The teams went into the halftime break with no side having stamped their authority on the game.

When the second stanza got underway, Packaging Stars appeared to have fine-tuned their game. They attacked Thula Thula’s goal post from the very onset of the match, making short work of their defence.

Pule Mhlongo of Packaging Stars became the thorn in Thula Thula’s defence, as he found space to make runs down the flanks. However, all these runs were not paying off as none seemed to find attacking players when they were crossed into the box.

Thula Thula withstood the pressure and also attempted to retaliate with the same attack strategy, only to be stopped in their tracks at every try.

Packaging Stars continued to press forward, and could have grabbed the lead 20 minutes into the second half when, Cheesa Nkosi, sent Thula Thula’s goalkeeper, Thabo Ngwenya, a rude sign that they wanted a win.

Nkosi’s shot from outside the box needed to be kept out by Ngwenya’s hand as it looked to be heading in from the top.

Packaging Stars were rewarded for their constant pressure at the 78th minute when a corner kick curled at goal, was kept out, only to be slotted back in by Mhlongo.

Thula Thula appeared to be staging a comeback after the goal, exploiting a comfortable Packaging Stars defence.

However, time was simply not on Thula Thula’s side on the day, giving Packaging Stars a 1-0 victory, and walking way with R8 000 courtesy of Capitec Bank.