Bluebirds seal victory with a late goal blitz

Two second half goals were enough to seal victory for Alexandra’s Bluebirds in the Sasol Women’s Football League game played at the Altrek Sports Complex in Eastbank.

The first half of the game against the Krugersdorp side Lusaka Ladies, which is based in Swaneville, produced no goals as both sides played a cautious game trying to avoid the possibility of conceding early goals.

Both teams looked content with passing the ball around throughout the first half of the game. Half time team talk on both sides must have been “go out there and play, as chances are that you might beat them.”

This was evident in the manner of play in the second half as both sides took turns at testing the opposition keeper. The home went a step further and introduced its talented Banyana Banyana striker Zingawe Phakathi to add much needed firepower up front.

It wasn’t long before they were rewarded with a beautiful goal from fellow striker Kenewang Moloi in the 63rd minute of the game. Moloi received a brilliant pass from a team mate, turned two defenders and slotted the ball into the back of the net.

At this point the defence of Bluebirds looked shaky as the visitors piled up pressure looking for an equaliser. They almost came close in a goalmouth scramble that lasted a couple of seconds but the ball was eventually cleared and the home team breathed a sigh of relief.

Zingawe, who came in as a second half substitute, had a tremendous impact on the game as she tormented the defence of the Swaneville side. At one stage she was badly bumped off the ball in a caution-deserving incident but the referee thought otherwise in a game he handled very well without flashing a single card for caution or send-off.

She finally found the back of the net in the 88th minute when she too rounded off two defenders to slot the ball past the keeper.

Swaneville side coach Thapelo Mogapi said his girls did not give their all for the game hence the defeat while home coach Malvin Khumalo said he had not started Zingawe in the match as she lacked fitness caused by inconsistent attendance at practise matches due to pressure of school work.

“I am happy that she came in and did the job for me,” Khumalo said.