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GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - Football Legends teams from far and wide dusted off their soccer boots to take part in the George Legends Tournament held in celebration of Women's Day last weekend.
The Thembalethu-based team Ratanang Legends came out the winners.
Twelve legends teams participated this year: Uitenhage, Rangers, Ratanang, Peace Makers, VW, Mossel Bay, Sundowns, CB 19, Leaders, CCk Legacy, Hessequa and B Callies Legends.
Ratanang Legends knocked out Hessequa Legends 3-2 in one of the semi-finals on Sunday morning, 11 August. Ratanang dominated the game and netted their two goals in the first half. The second half saw thrilling action with Hessequa coming back into the game. Hessequa pulled off two goals while Ratanang scored only one.
The other semi-final saw VW Legends punish Sundowns Legends (Beaufort West) 3-2 in an entertaining game where VW Legends rolled out their top skills.
In the third-prize battle, Sundowns Legends locked horns with Hessequa Legends. Sundowns showed no mercy, sinking Hessequa 3-1 to take the third place and a R2 000 prize.
The final
In the final, which was played at the Lawaaikamp Stadium on Sunday afternoon, 11 August, Ratanang Legends beat VW Legends (Eastern Cape) 2-1. Ratanang started out strong, building their passes for the flanks to attack, and putting VW Legends under pressure.
Luvuyo Jas of Ratanang Legends registered the first goal.
VW Legends tried playing the ball on the ground to keep it moving, but Ratanang continued controlling the game from the centre of the field.
The experienced Ratanang forward Andile Lengesi scored the second goal with a powerful header, extending their lead to 2-0.
In the second half VW Legends changed tactics, playing the ball on their wings and putting Ratanang on the defence. Despite pressure from former Premier Soccer League forward Lennox Bacela in the Ratanang team, VW Legends had some luck when Khayalethu Ngindana succeeded with a long-range shot.
The final ended 2-1 with Ratanang claiming the first prize of R9 000 cash, the trophy and 25 gold medals. The runners-up went home with a cash prize of R4 000.
VIDEO: Organiser Donovan Felix chats to George Herald about the tournament.
Organiser comments
The tournament organiser, Donovan Felix, told George Herald that it was encouraging to see larger numbers of spectators at the stadium.
He was especially happy that teams came from as far as Cape Town and Gqeberha and that all the teams made it happen despite challenging weather conditions.
Felix had a special word of gratitude for everybody who contributed to making the tournament a success.
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