SOCCER NEWS - Abahlali failed a difficult test when they went down 4-0 against NMU Madibaz in a sublime Geolfa Easter tournament quarter-final game at Thembalethu Stadium on Sunday afternoon, 20 April.
Emile Jansen and Likamvelihle Dano (hat-trick) netted the four goals for the student team.
For Madibaz it was a historic moment as they became the first team from George to go through to the semi-finals.
Before the quarter-finals, Abahlali FC had beat Southern Academy 3-1, while Madibaz punished Future Stars 1-0.
Dano delivered a stellar performance during their game against Abahlali, leading his side up front and managing to break the net three times.
The quarter-finals game got off to perfect start with both teams playing an attacking game. Abahlali used the pace of Ndyebo Ngcwangu and Siphelo Matiya to challenge the NMU backline. Jansen opened the score, putting his side in the lead 1-0.
Abahlali's backline was battling against the offensive play of Madibaz. Dano doubled the score, putting the Abahlali defenders under more pressure. The lanky forward netted his third goal to make it 3-0, seeing Abahlali trailing into the break.
Chasing the game
Abahlali started the second half at a high tempo, trying to find loopholes in Madibaz's backline. However, the students, showing their regional league experience, gained more power and started controlling the game. Lutho Goro of NMU marshalled the backline defending their lead.
Dano scored his hat-trick, making it 4-0. The Zone 9 team players had no answer and had to watch Madibaz going through to the semi-finals.
On Easter Monday, 21 April, the semi-finals and the final were postponed until further notice due to the bad weather conditions and waterlogged field.
Geolfa Easter soccer fest results:
Sunday 20 April
Knockout stages (last 16)
• Simunye 9-0 George Vultures
• All Stars 2-1 George Celtics
• Abahlali 3-1 Southern Academy
• NMU Madibaz 1-0 Future Stars
• Vista 2-1 Black Cats (B)
• Fast Eleven 4-1 United Spurs
• Paris United 3-1 Heaven Stars
• Black Cats A 1(5)-1(4) Burning Fire
Quarter-finals (top 8)
• Simunye 3-1 All Stars
• Abahlali 0-4 Madibaz
• Vista 2(4)-2(5) Fast Eleven
• Paris United 1-0 Black Cats
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