By CHRIS TOTOBELA
Last Saturday, Makhanda’s football-loving folk braved the chilly weather and made their way to JD Dlepu stadium. On show was the best U15 talent this town has to offer in the Makana LFA U15 tournament.
There were some exciting games, but on Sunday, the huge crowd saw some fireworks as the remaining teams fought hard to try and lay their hands on the title.
The semi-final game between City Pirates and Young Eagles got the crowd on their feet as both teams dished out the best attacking football. Pirates got onto the score sheet as early as the seventh minute, benefiting from a defensive error. Eagles dug very deep and levelled matters ten minutes later, which meant that both teams went to the halftime break locked at a goal apiece.
The second half started with both teams throwing caution to the wind while searching for the winner. Both goalkeepers made brilliant saves to keep their respective teams in the game.
It took an excellent swift move with crisp and pinpoint passing from Pirates to decide the tie as they managed to cut Eagles defence wide open to score the winner. Eagles fought back, but Pirates’ keeper denied them.
Pirates went on to face the overwhelming favourites Sophia Young Stars in the final. Sophia showed precisely why they had been the powerhouse of junior football for the past five years or so. Sophia absorbed Pirates’ pressure very well and punished them at the right time, and showed their experience as they managed to defend their slender lead until the final whistle.
Mthuthuzeli Silo Sophia Young Stars U15 coach was delighted with the performance of his charges and was also voted the coach of the tournament.
Liyahluma Mawaba, who scored the only goal in the final, walked away with the player of the tournament accolade. Makana LFA head of competitions Akona Heshu thanked all the ten teams that took part and thanked DSRAC for their role in the development of football in Makhanda.
