Malandela Mighty Heroes U17 are through to the semifinals of the Maimane Alfred Phiri (Map) Games after demolishing their arch-rivals, Real Madrid 5-1 in a thrilling match at the Alexandra Stadium this morning [11 June].
Also through to the semis, which take place tomorrow [Sunday 12 June] at the Alexandra Stadium are the club’s U15 squad, which beat Gunners 5-0 in another thriller played at the Alexandra Stadium early in the morning.
A third U13 team of the Mighty Heroes’ quarterfinal game, which was booked to take place at the No 3 Square Grounds this afternoon, had to be postponed to Sunday 12 June due to unforeseen delays.
The Mighty Heroes’ U17 and U13 teams are the defending champions of the Map Games in their respective divisions and their coach Vincent Rammoni is confident they will go all the way to successfully defend their titles.
He also believes he could add another team this year to the championship, that being his U15 squad which he said has a lot of potential in reaching the finals, in which the team will face either Linda Stars or Alex Young Lions in tomorrow’s semifinals.
Real Madrid’s U17 team scored first through the boot of Tshiamo Moraka in the 31st minute of the game. Mighty Heroes came from a goal down and levelled matters in the 32nd minute through a penalty taken by their Captain, Mahlatsi Mashikila, after a Madrid player was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
Both teams went to the break level on 1-1 and Mighty Heroes came back into the second stanza business-minded as they launched attack after attack in search of a cushion goal. It only came through another penalty, taken by their captain again, Mashikila, an Eastbank High School boy who made no mistake and sent the keeper the wrong way.
The Mighty Heroes’ third goal came through Tebogo Mthongwane while substitute striker, Realogile High School’s Koketso Mampuru got his brace in the dying minutes of the game in quick succession to seal the semifinal spot for the Mighty Heroes in the U17 division.
A delighted coach Rammoni, whom players often refer to as the ‘Young Master’ because of his youth, paid tribute to his boys and said they had shown character in their approach of the game and were so clinical in front of the goals.
“When I brought in Mampuru, I told him to stay inside that box and goals will come his way because I had realised we were not clinical in front as my other striker had tended to be lost deep in the field.
“I must make special mention of the captain, Mashikila, who led from the front and volunteered to take two penalties. Another player would not have stepped up for a second penalty but he was brave enough. He’s one of my seasoned campaigners and works very hard,” Rammoni said.
The Mighty Heroes’ U17 team will now face Phomolong All Stars who beat Royal Tigers 1-0 in the quarterfinals played at the Alexandra Stadium this afternoon.
