GEORGE FOOTBALL NEWS - Young Blues FC put the crown on a weekend of outstanding performance when they won the Zone 9 tournament on Sunday afternoon, 13 October at the Zone 9 sports field, defeating Abahlali FC 1-0.

The only goal of the final was scored by Nonwabisi "Bhangalore" Gcuwa from a set piece. The tournament was a fundraiser for the Zone 9 football teams.

The battle of the grand finale started at a fast tempo with Abahlali spending most of the time in Young Blues' eighteen yard pressing for the first goal, but they failed to break the net. Young Blues tried to come back using the strength of Monde Phendukwana and Victor Zweni, supported by Lunga Dyantyi in the centre of the field. 

Bathandwa Jacobs, Young Blues' goalkeeper, made things difficult for the Zone 9 team Abahlali, stopping several attempts. Both sides were fighting hard for the first goal, but they failed to convert their scoring opportunities. 

The exciting first half ended with a goalless draw.

The second half started fast with Young Blues trying to get the first goal of the game, employing the speed of Quinton Yekani on the right side of the field. Young Blues received a free kick just outside the box after a foul from an Abahlali midfielder but their shot went over the crossbar. Abahlali came back in full force unlocking Young Blues defenders, but their effort was easily denied by Young Blues' shot stopper Bathandwa Jacobs.

Young Blues got their goal after a corner kick, with a beautiful curved strike from Monwabisi Gcuwa which the Abahlali goalkeeper failed to handle. Both teams fought to score more goals but failed to convert from a number of clear-cut chances in front of the goalkeepers, and Young Blues had to be satisfied with their one goal to earn them the Zone 9 Cup.

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