Black Cats bag Geolfa Top 8 Tournament title

GEORGE FOOTBALL NEWS - The Black Cats FC development team claimed the Geolfa Top 8 title after defeating Vista FC in a penalty shoot-out 2(6)-2(5) in the final game on Sunday 12 September at the Lawaaikamp Stadium.

During the game, four goals were scored by Nkosiyabo Toto and Nkosiyethu Seyibokhwe for the Cats "Babies", and Ikhona Mdike and Azola Kanafana for Vista FC.

Both teams gave a classical performance with Cats catching up from behind and netting the equalising goal that sent the match into the penalties. The following eight teams participated in the Geolfa Top 8 Tournament: Vista, Black Cats, Abahlali, Bangalore, Heaven Stars, Ramaphosa, Young Killers and Fast Eleven.

The final got off to a good start with Vista controlling the ball on the ground looking for the first chance of the game. Cats tried to control the game from the centre of the field but the powerful strike by Henristot Kawaya went wide.

Both teams switched to playing the ball on the flanks.Vista received a clear chance when Kwanele Tom played in a cross inside the box, but Lwando Nomsatha missed the target.

Cats retaliated with a positive move from the centre of the field and managed to break through the Vista back line to score their first goal, making it 1-0. Vista now had the difficult task of chasing the game.

Ayabulela Jantjies (Cats) played very well on the right side of the field delivering beautiful crosses into the box. Vista received a penalty after a Cats defender made a foul inside the box and Vista goalkeeper Ikhona Mdike scored his penalty to equalise.

Cats failed to control the ball after a throw-in on the left side of the field, allowing Vista to take the ball and score their second goal to make it 2-1 after a beautiful set piece from the left side of the field. Soon after, Azola Kanafana scored with a powerful header, beating Cats goalkeeper Likhona Mandla. Both teams were looking good on the ball, playing enterprising football to create more chances inside the box.

Black Cats launched an attack on the left side of the field but their striker missed the target, his shot going over the cross bar. Vista defenders cleared a dangerous ball forcing a throw-in for Cats, who launched another strong attack, but they failed to score. Vista was leading 2-1 going into the break.

Vista started the second half at a high tempo, creating goal scoring opportunities. Black Cats launched another offensive play from the right side of the field, but Vista's defender did very well by clearing the dangerous ball. Nkosiyabo Seyibokhwe (Cats) had a clear chance at goal but his shot was blocked by Vista goalkeeper Ikhona Mdike. Henristot Kawaya (Cats) missed the target after his strike went over the cross bar from their free kick.

Both teams were creating goal scoring chances, playing more attacking football. Vista were awarded a free kick from the right side of the field after a foul, but missed the shot at goal. Black Cats scored the equalising goal to make it 2-2 after beautiful play from the right side of the field.

The game was still on with both teams hunting for a winning goal during the last minutes of the game. Both sides went out throwing everything into their attack, looking for the winning goal, but the exciting Top 8 final ended 2-2. Black Cats development team finally secured victory with a nail-baiting penalty shoot-out that ended 6-5 in their favour.