LRC FC and Tigers meet in a final before the final of the U13 Map Games 2019

ALEXANDRA – LRC FC and Alex Royal Tigers SC will this year meet in the semi-finals of the Map Games, dubbed the final before the final.

LRC FC's Didintle 'Didi' Tladi of Bramley Primary School and Gunners' Kutlwano Mazibuko of Ikage Primary School tussle for the ball in their Map Games 2019 quarter-final match. Photo: Zanele Siso/Zanephoto

The Love Reaching Community (LRC) FC and Alex Royal Tigers will meet again but this time in the semi-finals of the Maimane Alfred Phiri (Map) Games 2019 on the weekend of 8 and 9 June.

This follows the qualification of both teams in the race for the junior championship of the Map Games whose finals are scheduled for 16 June, which marks Youth Day named after the June 16 1976 Uprising.

The clash between the two giants of the U13 division of the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association has been dubbed the ‘final before the final’ as both teams have dominated the township football scene for the past three seasons.

Battling for the ball are LRC FC’s Didintle ‘Didi’ Tladi of Bramley Primary School and Gunners’ Kutlwano Mazibuko of Ikage Primary School in their Map Games 2019 quarter-final match. *Photo: Zanele Siso/Zanephoto*

The LRC first won the trophy in 2016, defended it in 2017 and then were toppled by Tigers in 2018 after being finalists for the past two seasons. Amasi abekwe elangeni in this do or die encounter that is expected to produce thrilling football in this division.

Tigers preyed on Baberwa Academy FC, mowing them down 2–0 in their quarter-final clash on 1 June while LRC disposed of Gunners 3–1 to book themselves a spot in the semis of the 19th edition of the development tournament that has produced the likes of Kaizer Chiefs ace striker Lebogang Manyama and Patrick Phungwayo of Orlando Pirates.

LRC FC’s Didintle ‘Didi’ Tladi of Bramley Primary School and Gunners’ Kutlwano Mazibuko of Ikage Primary School tussle for the ball in their Map Games 2019 quarter-final match. Photo: Zanele Siso/Zanephoto

The Gunners/LRC encounter at the Number 3 Square Grounds produced a thriller with LRC’s goals coming from Thabiso Kgole, Moraka Putuka and Tshepo Hlongwane while the consolation goal for Gunners came from the boot of stylish Kutlwano Mazibuko of Ikage Primary School, all scored in the first half.

LRC FC’s Didintle ‘Didi’ Tladi of Bramley Primary School and Gunners’ Kutlwano Mazibuko of Ikage Primary School in an aerial battle for the ball in their Map Games 2019 quarter-final match. *Photo: Zanele Siso/Zanephoto*

The LRC coach Velly Lekanyane was delighted with his team’s victory and said he could not wait to meet Tigers next weekend. “I and the boys are definitely looking forward to this mouthwatering clash which I believe is the final before the final.”

Gunners coach Freddy Kgapola said his boys had made critical mistakes at the back and in the middle of the park that handed LRC the victory. “We gave them too much space in those departments and I am confident that had we closed them down, the result would be different.”

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