Basel win soccer challenge

Louis Chauke of Basel (left) pushes Kulani Ritha of Hotspurs back in their battle to win the ball.

Basel win soccer challenge

FC Basel are the champions of the Malamulele Soccer Challenge. They beat Giyani Hotspurs 1-0 in the final of the one-day event at the Malamulele Stadium on Sunday.

Hotspurs made their intentions clear from the onset. They initiated some telling passes from behind, making it difficult for their opponents to settle in the middle of the park. Basel did not panic, despite all the odds; instead, they took their time to study their opponents’ moves.

Vincent Mabunda of Hotspurs was the first player to be caught in an offside position. He received a beautiful pass from Amos Malane and unleashed a powerful shot, which was too hot for the Basel keeper to handle, but the assistant referee’s flag was already up.

Basel regrouped and started to make Hotspurs feel their presence. It was not long before they scored the much-awaited goal. Marks Letsoalo blasted in a rocket in the 29th minute, following a scramble within the box.

What could have been Basel’s second goal turned into nightmare in the 37th minute. Louis Chauke miskicked the ball within the box, with the Spurs’ keeper, Matimu Mabasa, already beaten.

Both sides effected three changes to their starting line-ups in the second half. Hotspurs were all over Basel, but it was difficult for them to find their way through the rock-solid defence, marshaled by Makitla Booth and Vuledzani Davhana.

Four teams, Basel FC, Rospa United, Giyani Hotspurs and Phungo All Stars, took part in the tournament. Giyani Hotspurs beat Phungo All Stars 2-0 in the first semifinal, while Basel’s way to the final went via Rospa United, whom they beat 3-1 in their semi.

Louis Chauke of Basel (left) blocks Ronald Makondo of Hotspurs from reaching the ball.

Marks Letsoalo of Basel controls the ball.

Vincent Mabunda of Hotspurs (right) and Chippa Mhlaba of Basel race to win the ball.

Date:24 August 2012

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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