Newcomers to Alex football shoot to the top
ALEXANDRA – Rise Together FC from the Johannesburg CBD have made history in their maiden season in the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association League.
Rise Together FC, in their maiden season, were crowned champions of the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association (ANLFA) Cup.
They beat the perennial superstars of Alex football, the Malandela Mighty Heroes FC 2–1 in a scintillating match played at the No 3 Square Grounds.
Formed a year ago and joining the Alex league this season, the Johannesburg CBD team won one of the league’s prestigious cup competitions.
They are one of a number of teams that have migrated from their own areas to join the Alex league. Formed in 1936, it’s the country’s oldest football league, blessed with having produced some of the most outstanding administrators, referees and top players, including the likes of the late Dr Leepile Taunyane and Dr Irvin ‘Iron Duke’ Khoza, to name but a few.
It is one of the most successful leagues in the Safa Johannesburg Region and that success is attracting a number of teams from neighbouring Thembisa and the Joburg CBD.
The game started with a blast, with the Heroes being awarded a penalty five minutes into the game after Kgaugelo Takule was fouled in the box. Wandile Masingi stepped up to the take the penalty and made no mistake to put his side 1–0 up. Mabutho Ngobese came close to making it 2–0 but missed with a header.
Action immediately swung to the Heroes’ goal area and Rise Together FC’s Monday Onah leveled matters with a simple tap-in after a goalmouth scramble.
Masingi immediately followed up the Rise Together goal with a powerful shot which hit the crossbar, after which Rise Together captain Gabriel Hlungwane had a header easily saved by the Heroes keeper.
The two teams went into the break at 1–1.
On resumption, Masingi was gifted with the ball by the Rise Together keeper in an attempt to clear it but Masingi fluffed the scoring opportunity. Heroes’ Thobani Dlamini sent in a brilliant cross but Takule failed to connect with it and another of their many chances went begging.
Ten minutes to the final whistle, Onah again scored the winner for Rise Together and the removal of his shirt in celebration earned him an unnecessary yellow card.
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