Shaft Section come up trumps in soccer challenge
The Shaft Section team from Fairview Mine have been crowned the inaugural Liberty Life Soccer Challenge champions, after they defeated the 60-Below Section team 6-5 in the lottery penalty shoot-out.
The game, which ended deadlocked one-all in regulation time, took place at Fairview Sports Grounds last Thursday.
Eight sections operating within Fairview Mine competed in the Liberty Life-sponsored tournament. These included Biox, Engineering, Shaft Section Team, VTN, 60-Below, 60-Level, 18-Level and KERN.
On their way to the championship, the Shaft team brushed aside Biox 4-1 in the semi-final.
The 60-Below team advanced to the final after beating 18-Level 5-4 on penalties.
In the final, Shaft got off to an encouraging start, forcing Melusi Magagula in goal for 60-Below team, to make numerous fine saves.
And it came as no surprise when the Shaft took advantage of their dominance to break the deadlock halfway through the first half with 60-Below Team’s defender, Carlos Semenya, scoring an own goal. The score remained 1-0 at the break.
Much like the first half, the Shaft team looked more threatening at the resumption of play, but their decision-making in the final third was not up to par.
The 60-Below team, however, grew stronger as the half went on, and their players started seeing more of the ball in the centre of the field.
They levelled matters in the 72nd minute when Makantsiya Semosi scored past Dice Motjane in goal for the Shaft team.
Neither side could find a winning goal in the closing stages, with both sides looking tired as the tie went into a lottery shoot-out, which Shaft team won 6-5.
The penalty converters for the Shaft team were Shoes Silinda, Madadi Vilakazi, Melusi Thomo, Koyi Khoza, Tito Manzini and Charley Masuku. Muzi Nkosi’s kick went wide.
The converters for the 60-Below team were Given Lubisi, Excellent Masuku, Carlos Semenya, Makantsiya Semosi and Courage Sigudla. Tsepo Malepe and Bheki Shabangu’s kicks were saved by Motjane.
Bridget Maseko, from Liberty Life, said the tournament will be held annually and more teams are expected to take part next year.
“Next year we aim to include all three mines falling under Barberton Mines. These games provide Liberty Life staff and the mine workers a chance to network and interact on a social level,” she said.
The champions were presented with a floating trophy and gold medals, while the runners-up were consoled with silver medals. Each player in the two teams also received a Liberty Life-branded water bottle and T-shirt.
