Raul Stars close in on Geolfa title

GEORGE FOOTBALL NEWS - With only one game remaining, it looks as if the youthful side Raul Stars Football Club are set to take the George Local Football Association League (Geolfa) League title.

They maintained their impressive unbeaten record after defeating Heaven Stars FC 1-0 at the Lawaaikamp Stadium on Sunday afternoon, 6 June. The sole goal of the game was netted by Siphosethu "Mooki" Bota,who was also named the man of the match.

The high-flying Raul Stars are the hot favourites for the title, sitting at the top of the table with 34 points.

They have recorded ten victories, scored 30 goals and conceded 11 goals, drawn four games and are still undefeated after 14 marches played, while Heaven Stars are trying to reach the top five.

Raul Stars started the game at a high tempo looking for the first goal. Receiving a free kick just outside the box, Zukhanye Mkhefa tried his luck, but his shot deflected from a Heaven Stars defender, forcing a corner kick for Raul Stars.

However, Raul Stars missed the target after the corner kick. Both teams were trying to play the ball on the ground with Raul Stars looking dangerous on the attack. Maseti Philasande (Heaven Stars) missed his first chance when he failed to control the ball inside the box, but Raul Stars defence conceded a corner kick.

Then Raul Stars goalkeeper (Luvuyo Ncamile) saved the ball from the corner kick. Heaven Stars attacked and Dyiba Makhosonke drove a long-range shot, but his ball went over the cross bar. Khayalethu Shumane (Heaven Stars) controlled the game from the centre of the field creating chances for his side.

Siphosethu Bota of Raul Stars (left) fights for the ball against Abenathi Ntaba of Heaven Stars (right).

Siphosethu "Mooki" Bota netted the first goal of the game after a marvellous pass from Lilitha Jantjies. Gaining confidence from the goal, Raul Stars started playing beautiful attacking football from the centre of the field using the power of their captain, Lethu Scritsh, to create chances.

Heaven Stars received a corner kick after an attack from the left side of the field but they failed to score the equalising goal. For the rest of the first 45 minutes, neither of the teams managed to turn their scoring opportunities into a goal and the first half ended on a score of 1-0.

The second half started with a very slow build-up, with Heaven Stars pushing for the first goal using Philasande Maseti to penetrate through Raul Stars' back line. Raul Stars captain Lethu Scritsh played a clever pass inside the box, but Lilitha Jantjies failed to control the ball inside the box and it was cleared away by a Heaven Stars defender.

Heaven Stars came back with full force using the pace of Ntaba Yamnkela to try and score the equalising goal, but his solo effort was well blocked by Raul Stars defence. Heaven Stars delivered a long-range shot outside the box but a brilliant save by Raul Stars' goalkeeper denied Heaven Stars their first goal, forcing a corner kick for Heaven Stars.

However, Heaven Stars failed to make it count. Two more attempts by Raul Stars came to nothing with attacker Siphosethu Bota's shot going wide and Lethu Scritsh's strike being well saved by the Heaven Stars goalkeeper. The exciting Geolfa League game ended 1-0.

Raul Stars players before their game against Heaven Stars on Sunday afternoon. Back from left are: Lilitha Jantjies, Petrus Mathebula, Ayabonga Sandaza, Luvuyo Ncamile, Zukhanye Mkhefa and Liyema Kortman. Front: Thabo Ntende, Siphosethu Bota, Andrewwano Nappies, Lethu Scritsh and Zusakhe Bishini. Photos: Zama Gagu