Phungo crowned as champions

Phungo All Stars were crowned the champions of the Rospa Spring soccer tournament, when they beat Giyani Hotspurs 7-5 in the final, played at the Louis Trichardt show grounds on Saturday.

The two teams played to 3-all draw and the winner was determined by means of a penalty shoot-out.

Spurs approached the game aggressively, with their midfielders putting pressure on the well-organised defence of Stars. Stars did not lose their fighting spirit, despite the fact that Spurs were frustrating them by denying them an opportunity to put the ball down.

Marvelous Makwakwa unleashed from the penalty area and the Stars’ keeper, Reason Mbedzi, palmed the ball back into his own net in an attempt to save it. Jimmy Ncuma put Spurs further ahead when he forced his way through the defence of Stars and released a ground cutter. The half-time score 2-0 in favour of Spurs.

In the second half, Stars rectified their mistakes and started to show great character and purpose, but lacked cohesion. Stars should have scored in the 57th minute, but Ndivhuwo Masakona became overexcited and shot a slow shot into goalkeeper Matimba Shimange’s hands.

Spurs had their moment of regret when their striker, Ronald Makondo, failed to convert a free chance by shooting wide after a defender of the opposition miskicked the ball.

Senior Maluleke scored his team´s third goal after he received a square pass from Vincent Maluleke. Stars did not give in without a fight, but instead initiated some promising moves from the middle of the park. They scored two more goals in quick succession. Ivan Mahangwahaya headed home, following a corner kick that was taken by Justice Rasebotse. Ndivhuwo Masakona equalised was towards the end of the game to make the score 3-3.

The two teams went to penalty shoot-out. During the shoot-out, the keeper of Stars, Reason Mbezi, became an instant hero when he saved two penalities.

Date:09 September 2011

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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