Randburg AFC U17 side put in a battling performance against Kaizer Chiefs at the Randburg Sports Complex, but could not avoid a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat after conceding a late goal to Thato Dhlamini.

The home side matched their more fancied opponents for large parts of the match, with a resolute defensive display keeping Chiefs at bay for most of the game.

However, Randburg could not find a way to convert their hard work into a winning goal, and were made to pay when Dhlamini struck late on to secure all three points for the visitors.

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Randburg AFC coach Fiss Kutuka praised his players for their effort despite the result. “I think we tried, we did good, they did good, they gave their best, especially in the middle defence. We just missed our opportunity to kill the game,” he said.

Kutuka admitted that conceding so late in the match made the loss even harder to take.

“It’s very disappointing, but it’s a game, we made a mistake. I think we have to keep our heads up and go again. They tried and were unlucky for that moment,” he said.

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Despite the disappointment, the coach was quick to focus on the road ahead, urging his players to learn from the setback and build on their performance in the next fixture.

“I told them to really concentrate for the next coming game.

The past is gone, we made a mistake, we learned from it. I think we have to go push for the next game and try to fix it and get points,” Kutuka said.

Randburg AFC will now look to regroup and bounce back when they return to action in their next GDL U17 fixture.

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