Golden Aces lift the Pamo Memorial cup

GOLDEN Aces were crowned champions of the 2013 Kaizer Letsoalo Games-run (KLG) Pamo Memorial Tournament at Lephepane on New Year’s Day.

Aces earned the title after narrowly beating Leswika Classic 1-0 in the finals, which was watched by thousands of football fanatics.

The tense match started off at a steady pace, with both teams cautiously attacking each other, while maintaining an eagle-eyed guard on the goals.

This was even more so emphasised by the two contrasting styles adopted by the two sides.

While Golden Aces insisted on their direct, long ball and hard-tackling style, Leswika Classic kept their historical fluent, ball-playing system.

The catalysts in the Aces camp were the likes of Mpho Nelly Mathole, Samuel “Mabu” Modiba, Peter “Satan” Phakula, Mothoka Maponya and Hector Machitela.

Meanwhile, the Junior Maake-led machinery of Leswika Classic was orchestrated by the likes of Mogale “Fix” Maake, Eliya Rakgoale, Clifford “Moleko” Letsoalo, Floyd “Issa” Ramatseba, Aubrey ‘Charley” Letsoalo and Louis Mngomezulu.

The turning point of the pulsating encounter arose in the 35th minute when the Leswika Classic goal-minder, Marothi Blondie Makhubele fluffed an easy ball from a corner-kick to gift Samuel “Mabu” Modiba the crucial goal.

From that moment, it became clear that Classic were not going to find it easy to recover, as Aces imposed their long and high ball style to frustrate the Classic outfit.

In this highly-contested match, it was Aces’ midfield maestro, Mpho “Nelly” Mathole and Classic’s attacking wizard, Eliya Rakgoale that gave a very good account of themselves.

However, it was Aces’ winger, Samuel “Mabu” Modiba, who won the man-of-the-match prize.

Mathole was selected as the tournament’s best player, while his teammate Sidney “Modaka” Maponya was chosen as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.

Xoli “Mido” Shingange of Khujwana Classic snatched the top goal scorer accolade, even though his team was eliminated in the quarter finals.

On their way to the finals, Golden Aces beat the likes of Mmaphala and Bancock, while Leswika Classic beat Khujwana Classic and Khopho All Stars.

“This was one of the toughest versions of the Pamo Cup since it was introduced about five years ago.

“We are satisfied that the standard of this tournament has been growing year after year.

“We celebrate this achievement as a fitting tribute to the memory of the late Maphikiro Pamo Magoro,” said the patron of KLG, David “Kaizer” Letsoalo.