Tsakani – The Ingqayizele pre-season challenge continued on Sunday with the quarter-finals that did not happen on March 5 because of rain.
The semi-finals and playoffs were played at the Malandela Ground in Tsakani. In the playoffs for positions nine and 10, 17 Masters lost 5-1 to Yebo Yes.
Quarter-finals:
Brothers Masters, leading 1-0 to Zethembe when rain stopped their game the previous week, lost 2-1 when they met again on Sunday.
Bazingeli got their spot in the semis when they beat PCF 4-0.
Semi-finals:
All Nation played to a 0-0 draw with Zethembe. The game went to penalties, and Zethembe won 4-1.
Geluksdal Masters lost 3-0 to Bazingeli.
The games will continue on Sunday with Skomboyz, Duduza XI, Brothers and PCF playing positional games between positions five to eight with the following fixtures:
• Skomboyz vs Brothers at 10:00
• Brothers vs PCF at 11:00
All Nation will fight for position three with Geluksdal Masters at 12:00 Zethembe will face Bazingeli in the finals at 13:00.
The winners’ presentation will be at 14:30.
The winner will walk away with a trophy and 25 gold medals. Those in position two will receive 25 silver medals, and thirds will get 25 bronze medals.
The Sunday games will also take place at Malandela Ground in Tsakani.
Bazingeli coach Vusi Yaya Khumalo said, “We are ready as we are gearing up for the first tournament final of the new league.
“We won’t just play the game, we will win it. We have been playing well since the group stages and only conceding one, if not two, goals.
“We are good to deliver as a team. Everyone is ready.”
Khumalo predicted they would beat Zethembe 4-0, if not more.
Zethembe coach Sithembiso Mnisi said, “I would like to thank the co-ordinator of Ingqayizele for such a bold, big idea of establishing this three-year plan for the masters, acknowledging the fellow 11 team managers and coaches, the fans, and our metro for the ground facilities.
“The final game will be a breathtaking, history-making event following the battle of 12 strong teams divided into three groups.
“We were in the group of death (Group A), where all the groups’ three qualifying teams were in the semi-finals.
“Therefore, we won’t only represent ourselves in the finals but the other group teams against the undefeated Bazingeli FC too.
“We are confident of a win from our diverse team, regardless of their intimidating track record. Let the communities come in numbers to witness the spectacular first final of our league.
“Come one, come all. Amasi abekw’ elangeni…”
Ingqayizele founder Votile Jack said, “We urge the community to come in big numbers because these masters of the beautiful game will display top football.”
