An avalanche of five goals with no reply ensured that the table-topping Sandringham-based outfit Royal Lions kept their unbeaten record in the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association’s Promotional League.
Three goals from Jacob Adutwum and two each from his teammates Emmanuel Bosoga and Juma Ramadhani secured Lions the three vital points to ensure they keep their hopes of playing in the SAB League next season alive.
Despite playing an excellent brand of football which involved knocking the ball around with pinpoint passes, Rangers FC learnt the hard way that such pretty football without putting the ball in the back of the net counts for nothing.
Rangers dominated possession in both halves and did everything right except for putting the ball past the keeper. But maybe credit should be given to the Lions defence which was as solid as a wall.
Played at the Alexandra Stadium, the game started with Rangers’ Itumeleng Molepo missing a few scoring opportunities. Rangers’ exciting youngster Moyahabo Maphala also missed a few but his nimble-footedness had spectators agog on the stands.
A bungle from Rangers keeper Bhekumuzi Siqaza who failed to hold onto the ball gifted the Lions with their opening goal eight minutes before half time through the boot of Adutwum.
The goal opened up the floodgates. A Lions striker was fouled inside the box and Adutwum stepped up and made no mistake from the penalty spot to put his side 2–0 up. Bosoga added a third for the Lions from a header.
Tempers flared in the Rangers camp when Karabo Mokonyane was given an early shower in the dying minutes of the game for a foul in the box. Adutwum stepped up and again made no mistake.
It was Ramadhani who hammered the final nail into Rangers’ coffin when he struck his team’s fifth on the stroke of full time.
Delighted Lions coach Donavan Mahlangu said afterwards ‘so far so good’ in reference to their championship chase.
“This means a lot for our campaign in the league,” he added. “We may just as well take the championship without a defeat, that is if we can keep the winning momentum for the few remaining games.”
John Mnisi, Rangers owner and coach, praised his boys for their fighting spirit and brand of football. “I am puzzled how we were defeated with such a high scoreline despite having dominated the game,” he said.
The win takes the Lions to 29 points from 11 games while rivals Dra FC remain in second spot with 24 points but have a game in hand following the cancellation of their game due to a waterlogged Altrek Stadium.
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