Black Cats draw against Clarewood

GEORGE NEWS - A top class penalty goal from Mivuyo "Sgi" Manzi helped the Black Cats to secure a 2-2 draw against Cape Town side Clarewood JPM in a Western Cape ABC Motsepe League game last weekend.

The game was played in extremely hot weather at the Lawaaikamp Stadium on Sunday afternoon, 23 January.

Black Cats' goals were converted by Amimu Hussein and Mivuyo "Sgi" Manzi, while Leandro de Sousa and Jason Britz put the score on the board for Clarewood JPM.

Cats have so far played seven games with two victories, two draws and three defeats, while Clarewood won three games, drew one, and lost two out of six played.

Clarewood's first attempt to score went over the cross bar. Black Cats received a clear opportunity outside the box, but the Cats striker missed the target. The visiting team however made no mistakes when they received a free kick outside the box.

Leandro de Sousa sent a beautiful cross from the left side of the field and Aphelo Skiet passed it into the box with a strong header.

Black Cats attacked on their flanks and played beautiful touches inside the box, but failed to convert their chances, with a shot by Shane-Lee Windvogel going straight at Clarewood's goalkeeper Ryan Ramandh. Clarewood's Courtney Smidt drove a long-range shot that went over the goal. Black Cats' Hussein Amimu scored the equalising goal after a cross played in by right back Kwanele Mdlulwa.

Supporters braved Sunday's hot weather to follow matches at Lawaaikamp Stadium.

Luzuko Sabelesiva (Black Cats) made a beautiful run into the box attacking Clarewood defenders, but his solo effort was blocked by former Premier Soccer League player Mario Booysen. Booysen (33) from Cape Town played professionally for different clubs in the elite league such as Ajax Cape Town, Bloemfontein Celtics, Supersport United and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The first 45 minutes ended 1-1 with both teams failing to convert many clear-cut opportunities.

The second half started with Clarewood JPM looking very sharp on the ball. Black Cats launched a strong attack from the right side of the field but Xolani Mandla's shot was well saved by the Clarewood goalkeeper. Franlin Cale (39), another former Premier Soccer League player, delivered a beautiful cross inside the box but Black Cats defenders swept away the dangerous ball. Cale's professional football career included playing for Ajax Cape Town, Tshwane Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United in Pretoria and, returning to Cape Town, the NFD National First Division.

Jason Britz netted a second goal for Clarewood, putting them in the lead. However, in the last 15 minutes, the Lawaaikamp giants received a penalty for a dangerous tackle and the 17-year-old Mivuyo Manzi scored the equalising goal. Both sides were grinding for the winning goal, but the game ended on a 2-2 draw.

The former Premier Soccer League player Franklin Cale (39) of Clarewood JPM.

Western Cape ABC Motsepe League weekend results

Friday 21 January

Cape Town Spurs 1-2 Grassy Park United

Saturday 22 January

FN Rangers 2-0 Cape Town Hotspurs
Trojan Stars United 0-2 Glendene United
Hout Bay United 4-1 Langebaan
Ubuntu 2-0 Jomo Powers
Police FC 0-1 Norway Parks Magic
Ikapa Sporting 2-1 Maties

Sunday 23 January

Black Cats 2-2 Clarewood JPM
Royal Blues 2-1 Santos
Gansbaai City 0-3 Zizwe United

Black Cats players back from left: Luyanda Laho, Mzwanele Jwaqa, Lucky Veiver, Luzuko Sabelesiva, Siyabulela Kosi and Hussein Amimu. Front: Shane-Lee Windvogel, Mivuyo Manzi, Aphelo Skiet, Kwanele Mdlulwa and Ryan Gcuwa.