FOOTBALL NEWS - The Lawaaikamp outfit Black Cats FC were crowned as the new champions of the Bongani Dyani Tournament after sinking United FC from Knysna on penalty shoot-outs 2(5)-2(3) on Sunday afternoon, 6 October at the Smutsville Sports Field in Sedgefield.
Black Cats gave a magical performance after chasing the game down from 2-0 and managing to score two crucial goals to equalise. The four goals were scored by Luyanda "Fire" Laho (2) for Black Cats and Msimelelo "Maijer" Keizana and Siphelele "Pelembe" Booi for United FC.
The game started at a high pace with Black Cats creating chances for the first goal. Both teams received a free kick but failed to score. United FC received a corner kick that found Msimelelo Keizana for a powerful header, but his shot was blocked by Black Cats' defence, forcing another corner kick. Again no goal was scored and both sides kept struggling for the first goal of the game.
Siphelele "Pelembe" Booi drove a long-range shot after Black Cats lost the ball but his shot went wide. United received a free kick just outside the box and managed to strike a long-range shot but it went over the crossbar. When the whistle blew for half time, there was still no score on the board.
United FC and Black Cats shaking hands before the start of the game.
Equal battle
The second half started with United on the attack. Stealing the game away from Black Cats, they scored the first goal with a beautiful strike outside the box. This boosted the Knysna players' confidence. A United player was tackled inside the box and referee Sibusiso Mvubu granted United a penalty. Siphelele Booi scored the second goal for United make it 2-0.
Xolani Mandla of Black Cats was doing everything right on the right side of the field, creating chances for his side. Wanda Mkhosi played in a beautiful pass that was received by Luyanda "Fire" Laho, who scored the first goal for Black Cats to make it 2-1.
Aphelo Skiet, Black Cats' goalkeeper, saved a dangerous shot from the right side of the field forcing a corner for United, but a third goal eluded them. Aviwe Tshandu, United's goalkeeper, made a brilliant save, blocking an equalising goal for Black Cats with an acrobatic move.
Cats came back in full force with Laho scoring Cats' second goal with a beautiful header to make it 2-2. With the score unchanged at the end of the game, they went on to extra time. Both teams struggled to find the net during extra time and the final score was determined on penalties, with Black Cats winning 2(5)-2(3).
Black Cats players celebrating after winning the Bongani Dyani tournament in Sedgefield.
Coach comments
Speaking to Idinga after the game, Black Cats head coach Bazel Mavukwana said this was the second time they played the tournament and it is a good opportunity to get direction in terms of building and shaping the team. "In about three weeks' time we rose from the group stages through to the final," he said.
"Our hard work paid off. The boys showed great character and a true championship mentality. In the second half they [United] surprised us with two quick goals, but we came back by introducing young talented players during our substitutions. The subs brought some changes and we scored two goals to equalise. We could have killed the game during extra time but we missed our clear-cut chances. When they scored their goals we thought to ourselves, 'We will hit them badly' - and we did exactly that."
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