Good start to the epic Selati Cup
This year's RCL Foods Selati Cup kicked off at KaMhlushwa Stadium on Sunday with a surprise defeat of defending champions, Driekoppies Mashaba United.
Fans came in their hundreds to support the eight teams in the first round of the much-anticipated tournament.
The match between Driekoppies Mashaba United and KaMhlushwa Screamer Eleven started on an action-packed note, with both teams trying to prove their strength.
In the early minutes of the game, KaMhlushwa Screamers were awarded a penalty due to a handball by Mashaba United and put their first points on the scoreboard.
Minutes later Mashaba was also awarded a penalty and they equalised.
Play in the second half proved a bit more tricky as the field was slippery due to the rain. The Screamers managed to score another goal to take the lead. Mashaba United had to play the last minutes with only 10 men on the field, following a red card.
READ: Selati Cup champs finally introduced
Fans rallied behind the defending champions as the Screamers stayed on the attack, hoping to widen their lead.
Mashaba United tried to push forward to equalise the game, but missed several opportunities and had to contend with their opponents’ strong defence and attack, strongly feeling the absence of their benched player. Towards the end of the game, Screamers scored their third and final goal to defeat the defending Selati Cup champions with 3-1.
“I’m disappointed about the loss but my boys played well. In football, if you convert chances inside the 18 area, you win the game. We had many chances but failed to convert, the opposition converted and they won the game,” said coach Danny Mashaba of Driekoppies Mashaba United.
In other results, former Selati Cup champs, Block A Naughty Boys beat Mbuzini Sundowns with five goals to nil, Sambo Block B won 3-2 against Schoemansdal Continental, and KaMhlushwa City Stars defeated Mananga Supersport 3-1 in a match where protest was lodged.
Fans can look forward to a weekend packed with matches at Mangweni Main Road Soccer Field on Saturday and on Sunday at Hoyi Soccer Field and Schoemansdal Junior Aces Soccer Field between 09:00 and 15:00. Find the fixture here.
