Raul Stars surprise Black Cats in regional league game

FOOTBALL NEWS - The struggling Thembalethu team Raul Stars are the talk of the town after they beat Black Cats 4-3 in a nail-biting Regional Men's League game on Sunday afternoon, 26 February at the Lawaaikamp Stadium.

Despite lying in 14th place (third last) on the log, Raul Stars overcame Black Cats, who were flying high in second place on the log.

Raul Stars' goals were scored by Lilitha Rilityana, Lethu Scritsh and Thulani Zakade (brace), while Luyanda Laho (brace) and Xolani Mandla scored for the Cats.

Towards the end of the first half, the pace and strength of Black Cats striker Nkosiyabo Toto was a pleasure to watch. Raul Stars maestro Thulani Zakade put up an impressive show in the second half and scored two vital goals for his side.

The first half saw Black Cats playing combination passes from the centre of the field, which Raul Stars centre midfielders Lilitha Rilityana and Lethu Scritsh countered with some smooth moves on the ball.

Raul Stars player Lilitha Rilityana scored the first goal of the game. Black Cats came back with an equalising goal from the boot of the evergreen Luyanda Laho, who followed this up with a second goal to make it 2-1 for Black Cats. The score was still 2-1 at half-time.

Raul Stars started the second half with an attack from the left side of the field and Lethu Scritsh netted another goal to make it 2-2. With Scritsh creating havoc on the left side of the field, Sesethu Nyhunyha of Black Cats had his work cut out for him to block the attack.

Stars received a penalty and Thulani Zakade netted their third goal to make it 3-2. Xolani Mandla of Black Cats netted an equalising goal after Raul Stars defenders failed to clear the ball inside the box.

Both teams were pushing to score a winning goal and Stars kept on attacking from the centre of the field. Thulani Zakade scored his second goal of the game, making it 4-3.

It turned out to be the winning goal for the Stars, whose victory saw them collecting maximum points.