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David Munzhedzi of Hotspurs (left) and Humbelani Nemasetoni of Junior Birds chase the ball.

Quarterfinal match abandoned after first half

 

The Boy Nemakonde Soccer Challenge game between Lukalo Hotspurs and TMT Junior Birds at the Tshifudi Stadium on Saturday was abandoned at half time.

The game started 30 minutes after the 13:00 scheduled kick-off time. The delay was the result of the fact that the players of Junior Birds did not have the original identity documents as required by the rules and regulations of the competition.

After a lengthy argument between the officials of the two teams and the organizers, it was resolved that Junior Birds would be allowed to play without the original identity documents until the end of the first half and that the second half would not kick off before the documents arrived.

The game was played at a see-saw pace, with both sides creating scoring chances. Hotspurs were the first to find the net. It took them only nine minutes to take the lead. Thelby Munyai blasted in a rocket from the 25-meter area. Hotspurs did not have enough time to celebrate their goal as Junior Birds fought back five minutes later. Pfano Tshivhombedze was on target with a half-volley, following a neat pass from Humbelani Nemasetoni.

Hotspurs took the lead again in the 29th minute. Mulisa Ramusia found the net with a header after a square pass from Thelby Munyai. Junior Bird leveled matters in the 39th minute to bring the half-time score to 2-2.

The organizers and the officials from Hotspurs proceeded to the tunnel during half time with a view to inspecting the identity documents of the players of Junior Birds as agreed to before the kick-off.

The officials for Junior Birds told the organizers that the identity documents were still not available. That prompted the organizers to instruct the referee, Mr Olani Kwinda, to blow the final whistle. Hotspurs were declared the victors.

Lukalo Hotspurs lost 4-5 to Begwa FC in the semifinal match at the same venue the following day.

Thelby Munyai of Hotspurs chases the ball.

 

Date:26 June 2015

By: Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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