Birthday bash soccer for coach Donald
Three Martial Eagles Academy soccer teams played in the Donsel Birthday Cup Tournament against Daveyton Liverpool at Morester Primary School grounds on Saturday.
Martial Eagles Academy was started eight years ago as a senior team and as the players progressed, it was decided in 2014 to start with the development of the u-11, u-13, u-15 and senior players.
The tournament has been held annually for the past five years in celebration of co-founder Donald Sekgobela’s birthday on January 2.
“The celebration doesn’t end in the field of play but when we also bring a smile to the less fortunate children’s faces by giving them school uniforms,” says Sekgobela.
The school uniform project has been running for five years and they are looking for ways to improve it this year, he says.
The u-13 team won their match 3-0.
The first two goals were scored in the first half when Tshiamo Mawela scored an opening goal on a free kick.
Just before half-time Junior Mbatha scored the team’s second goal.
“This was a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper,” says Sekgobela.
Tshiamo added to the score within the first 10 minutes of the second half and scored the team’s third goal, leaving the score at 3-0.
It was a 2-2 draw for the u-15 Martial Eagles Academy and Daveyton Liverpool teams.
Tshiamo and Pheto Mosianego scored the local team’s two goals.
Sekgobela says the senior match was the highlight of the day and although Martial Eagles lost 3-2 against Daveyton Liverpool, it was an action-packed game.
Liverpool scored their three goals in the first half but a determined Martial Eagles team’s defence and strikes returned in the second half.
“The local team was all over the Liverpool players and scored their two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half,” he says.
Keano Arendse and Mpume Zuke scored the two goals.
Liverpool’s goalkeeper made a few reflex saves for his team and the defenders formed a compact defence, denying Martial Eagles their third goal.
Liverpool took the Donsel Birthday Cup Tournament trophy home with them.
Segkobela is happy with the performance of all the teams and says anyone interested in playing can contact him on 079 516 5573.
