Ithute spoils the party for Iphutheng
ALEXANDRA – Two-time champions of the Discovery Alex Schools U12 League, Iphutheng are booted out of the tournament.
Ithute Primary School boys soccer team dubbed ‘the spoilers’ lived up to their name in their crucial encounter against favourites Iphutheng in the last match of the group stages of the Discovery Alex Schools U12 League.
Given their new nickname by coaches of the Dr Knak team just before kick-off, Ithute spoiled the party for Iphutheng after beating them 1–0 at the Number 3 Square Grounds.
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The loss means that Iphutheng, who are twice champions of this tournament, will now only be playing in matches to determine positions five to 12, as of 19 October.
Defending champions MC Weiler finished top of the table in this so-called group of death, which included the likes of Iphutheng, Ithute, Ikage, and Gordon, after a goalless draw in a grudge match with last year’s beaten finalists, Dr Knak.
With Iphutheng beaten, this means that Dr Knak sneaks into the semis.
Most people had written off Ithute and considered the match a simple walk in the park for Iphutheng, but it never was as Ithute struck the winner less than 10 minutes to full time through a corner kick that curled into the back of the net.
Iphutheng then summoned all their energy in search of an equaliser but poor finishing and a resolute Ithute defence denied them.
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In a bid to ensure an Ithute win, coaches from Dr Knak had taken over the reins. An Ithute win would guarantee a spot for Dr Knak in the semis and hence the interest of the coaches. Besides giving instructions on the touchline during the match, the Dr Knak coaches were the ones who gave the Ithute players a pep talk at halftime. The Ithute coaches were nowhere to be seen and when asked why they had taken over, the Dr Knak coaches simply said the school was their neighbour and there was no harm in being neighbourly.
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