SOCCER NEWS - On Saturday 24 May, the Residents, Abahlali FC, orchestrated a well-deserved 4-2 victory over Future Stars in a thrilling Geolfa Promotional League encounter at the Lawaaikamp Stadium.
Fanele Chele (brace), Siphelo Matiya and Somila Klaas were on the scoresheet for the residents and Sanezo Baliti scored his brace for Future Stars.
Second half sees the action
The first half was marked by a high tempo with both teams grinding for their first goal. Abahlali were fending off the attacks of the Future Stars wingers and Luwellyn Miggels of Future Stars made a failed attempt at the goal.
Though both sides were employing their ball skills to create opportunities inside the box, neither were able to chalk any points up on the board.
In a fast-paced second half, Chuma Reiners of Abahlali sent off a powerful shot at the goal, but it went straight to goalkeeper Lelethu Khohlakala. Abahlali scored the first goal of the game when Chele scored a stunning long-range goal from a set piece outside the box.
Future Stars kept pushing forward to get an equalising goal, but they could not make their opportunities count. Matiya beat the goalkeeper and pulled off the second goal for Abahlali.
The Stars changed gear with Zukisa Bokoda and Ayabonga Mntengwana controlling the centre of the field with some quick one-twos.
Klaas extended Abahlali's lead to 3-0, putting more pressure on the Future Stars players. With both teams playing the ball on the ground, the hard-working Mntengwana of Future Stars delivered a powerful shot, but the ball went over the goal.
Baliti beat Abahlali goalkeeper Lithemba Gidi to score the first goal for Future Stars, making it 3-1. Abahlali used the speed of Matiya up front to break through the Future Stars backline and the evergreen Chele nailed the fourth goal, making it 4-1.
Future Stars were lucky to receive a penalty in the dying moments of the game and Baliti saved some face when he diminished the gap to 4-2, scoring from the spot kick.
Log standings
Abahlali FC is currently battling for the top five positions on the log table with 41 points.
In their first season in the promotional league, Future Stars are doing extremely well and are fighting for the top three spots, having earned 44 points.
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