LRC are the new champions of the AMSL Spring Tournament 2019

A business-like Love Reaching Community FC (LRC) ran rings around Roosevelt FC to score six of the best to no reply in the final of the Alex Masters Soccer League (AMSL) U15 Spring Tournament at the Victoria grounds in Lombardy East.

Last year’s champions, United Stars, were knocked out in the semis of the tournament by Roosevelt, who claimed their maiden appearance in the final of this annual tournament that has been on the go since 2003.

LRC came into this final of the tournament, which received funding from the Maisha Molepo Foundation, with intent and stunned the often unpredictable Ext 7 team with quick goals and then relaxed and played their stylish game to entertain the spectators.

There were two early goal attempts by LRC in the 10th and 11th minutes of the game, with two strikes that grazed the crossbar. To prove their intent, LRC made their opponents goal minder, Ananias Chauke sweat with wave after wave of attack.

LRC was finally rewarded with a goal five minutes before the break when Sibongiseni Masemi struck a beauty of a free kick that hit the back of the net.

On resumption, LRC started where they left off, with the enterprising Masemi getting another free kick soon after the whistle but Chauke was alert and thwarted the danger. LRC’s Kagiso Rapophala and Rethabile Riba all tested the keeper but found him to be up to the task.

It was then the turn of Thabang Mojela to test the keeper but instead, he ballooned his effort way over the crossbar. LRC’s Thabo Letsoalo added a second goal from a rebound off the keeper, and then the avalanche followed.

Before the ink was even dry on the score sheet, Robert Mazubanya added a third goal while Roosevelt’s Kgotso ‘Messi’ Mnisi had his shot coolly saved by LRC keeper, Bonelo Motata.

It was not long before Rapophala registered his name on the scoreboard with the fourth goal of the game for LRC. Rofhiwa Mokwebo also registered his name before Rapophala got his brace when he hammered the final nail in the Roosevelt coffin with the sixth goal of the day.

Winning coach Bandile ‘Bans’ Thindleni was full of praise for his boys for a job well done. “I am over the moon,” he said before dedicating the trophy to the parents of the players and ‘my lovely wife, Innocentia Chiloane’.

Roosevelt coach Joshua ‘Mathata’ Sebelebele was disappointed with the huge scoreline but paid credit to his boys who remained resolute despite the humiliation. “Things might have turned out differently had two of my regulars been present,” he said.

The pair, a midfielder and a goalie had travelled to Cape Town for trials with the Orlando Pirates Academy.

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