KwaBhekilanga and Minerva seal semi-final spots at the school soccer tournament
ALEXANDRA – KwaBhekilanga overcame a 1–0 deficit to defeat Alex High 2–1 while defending champions Minerva also defeated Bernato 2–1.
Philani Mabuza notched two goals as KwaBhekilanga’s boys rallied from a 1–0 deficit to win 2–1 against Alex High, while defending champions Minerva also beat Barnato Park 2–1 at 3 Square Ground in Alexandra on September 16.
Kwabhekilanga Secondary School and Alex High School set the tone for the quarter-final of the Sibusiso Cosmos Zwane School soccer tournament. The game was tied as both teams raised to the occasion to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Alex High broke the deadlock shortly before half-time after Tshepo Matlou delivered a through-ball pass to Buhle Mahobja to score a tap-in goal opener.
Alex High suffered two injuries that changed the course of the match seven minutes into the second half when Amogelang Kekana and Thabiso Kgomo were forced off the field following injuries.
KwaBhekilanga got back into the game in the second half through Philani’s strike after a sluggish start in which they dominated possession of the ball.
The second goal in Philani’s brace came five minutes after his opening as he slammed the ball into the roof of the net to wipe out Alex High’s lead.
In their game against Barnato Park High School, the Minerva High School‘s boys also won 2–1 scoring both their goals in the first half of the match.
Barnato Park High School boys looked rusty against Minerva in the first half as the defending champions they put pressure on the Barnato defenders. Katlego Mampa scored the first goal of the match after an outstanding individual performance to beat Barnato‘s defender then hit one for his school.
In the dying stages of the first half, a grasscutter outswinger cross from Sifundo Mabayi was picked up by Sphesihle Madiba of Minerva, and Sphesihle fired a rocket into the back of the net to make it 2–0.
Despite being down 2–0, Barnato retaliated in the second half of the match. Denzel Dube won a free kick for Barnato on the edge of the box, and Dube converted it to make the score 2–1.
Barnato created more chances in the dying stages of the match, attacking with three strikers but it was too late for coach Lwazi Nxumalo’s boys to steal the match.
KwaBhekilanga and Minerva will be joined in the semi-finals of the tournament by the winner of the match between East Bank High School and Pholosho Junior Secondary School as well as the winner of the Northview High and Realogile High School match.
