Tornado FC crowned as new Ablex champions

Tornado FC were crowned as the champions of the Ablex tournament after beating Ablex United 5-4 in the final match played on Sunday at the Manavhela Grounds.

The two teams played to 1-all draw when the referee blew the final whistle and the winner had to be determined by a penalty shoot-out.

Ablex played entertaining football from the onset, but their strikers were unlucky. Ernest “Doleza” Mokoena, Ablex’s right flank, missed an opportunity in the 6^th minute. After beating two defenders in a row, he shot aimlessly from inside the box. The ball went far wide, much to the disappointment of the team’s fans.

Ablex soon realised that it would be a difficult day at the office when Otso Mosena fumbled at the goal finish. He received a neat pass from Nkhetheni Maleboho, but shot wide with the keeper, Foster Machaba, already beaten. Mosena committed another blunder a short while later. This time around, he failed to connect Owen’s Thuto square pass.

Nwamato Netshaulu, Tornado’s centre back, was lucky to get away with a yellow card. He obstructed Philemon Mbwele at the edge of the box in a one-on-one situation, denying Mbwele what could have been a goal. The referee did the unexpected when he flashed a yellow card at a time when most of the fans thought he would give Netshaulu his marching orders.

Tornado scored via Bada Maite, after he was fed with a beautiful pass from his teammate, Nditsheni Munzhedzi.

Owen Thuto of Ablex won a loose ball from the left corner. He ran a few steps towards the goal before beating the keeper to score the equalizer.

Mashudu Netshaulu of Tornado caused an upset when his shot hit the woodwork and landed outside the field of play for a goal kick.

Date:01 July 2021

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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