Panorama U/19s back to GDL business after successful performance in Cape Town invitational

Panorama Football Club flew the flag far and wide as they looked to conquer foreign territory.

Their U/19s did the club proud when they recently participated in the prestigious Bayhill Premier Cup in Cape Town. The annual Easter weekend invitational draws the best teams from across the Cape, and the Pana boys secured a return trip in 2023 after making the last eight of the tournament.

Leading the team is U/19 head coach, Luyanda Gcabashe, who has been in charge since the back end of last season. Many of the players are either U/18 or younger, meaning that Luyanda has time to get the best of them in the seasons beyond 2022.

“It was a great experience. We saw top teams, top coaches and top scouts. We played top-class football and I was very impressed with my boys,” noted Luyanda.

After finishing second in their group behind Cape Town Spurs, the boys were paired with hosts Bayhill United in the quarter-finals. A 1–0 defeat would end their run but lessons learnt and the knowledge gained will prove valuable in the season ahead. “We were excited and nervous to be away from home but the boys were organised and disciplined, and there was a good atmosphere and a good team spirit,” said Luyanda.

The memories of Cape Town may still be fresh, but a stern test awaited them back home in the Gauteng Development League. Eyeing a finish in the top three spots on the log, Panorama’s U/19s hosted familiar faces TS Galaxy, May 7. Both teams started with intensity but it was TS Galaxy that slowly won the opening arm wrestle. A lack of concentration from a throw-in gave Galaxy the opening they needed as they exploited a flat-footed defence for the opening goal. Roughly ten minutes later a long-range effort would put Galaxy 2–0 up and looking comfortable.

Panorama were given a lifeline when the linesman judged the Galaxy goalkeeper to have overstepped the edge of his 18-yard area from a clearance. After a lengthy deliberation with his assistant, the referee placed the ball inches outside the box and Lesego Dube took aim. The goalkeeper tried to organise a wall but Lesego’s effort was too good, nestling comfortably to the left of the unmoved goalkeeper. Shaken, the Galaxy defence were tested a minute later by a long ball and as they failed to clear, Lesego pounced again to smash home an equaliser just before the half-time whistle.

A physical but fair first half was followed by more of the same, but again it was a sloppy throw-in halfway through the second half that broke the deadlock. Caught in possession playing from the back, Panorama’s defenders were left scrambling and as the Galaxy forward broke free on goal he was chopped down, forcing the referee to point to the spot. Panorama’s keeper guessed the right way but was fingertips away as the ball passed him into his right-hand post.

Chasing another equaliser, the passionate crowd agonised with every half chance. Having finally carved out a clear opening with less than ten minutes to go, the Galaxy keeper made a miraculous close-range save to keep his team ahead. Bordering on desperation, Panorama flung everything forward but Galaxy snatched possession and broke upfield, driving the ball into the far corner to seal the 4–2 win with the last kick of the game.

Despondent but not despairing, Luyanda is confident that the best is yet to come from the U/19s. The Engen Knockout Challenge is on the horizon and Luyanda’s goal for the season is a top-five finish in the GDL. A tight-knit team with quality in all positions, lofty hopes rest on the shoulders of Luyanda as he guides them through the final stages of their development.