United shoots to the Stars in crown game
United Stars coach Sakhile Zulu says he will find a new coach to guide the boys in their new project in the Hollywoodbets League.
A solitary goal from the boot of a contender for the Golden Boot Award Njabulo ‘NJay’ Shabalala was enough to shoot United to the Stars of a nail-biting finish in the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association’s Promotional League.
Stars were crowned champions after three times of trial and error in a row in the past three seasons. The ‘the fat lady finally sang’ for the side when it beat a stubborn AmaSkills FC to close off the 2024 edition of the league in a thrilling game played at the Alexandra Stadium on June 30.
Club president cum-coach Sakhile Zulu, known by his clan name Mageba, described the trophy as ‘written in the stars’ for his River Park outfit. The club survives on a shoestring budget in which the president keeps the team going by diverting part of his household income to fund the needs of the boys.
The company that Mageba works for as a production assistant, Admit One Media, occasionally comes to his aide as well and throws something into the kitty whenever they have funds to spare.
The talented youngsters, most of whom have been together since their days as U13s in 2018, were promoted to the senior team three seasons ago while they were still U17s, in which they were beaten twice in the final games before finally savouring the current victory.
“I am happy at long last the fat lady has finally sung,” were the words Zulu first uttered during this interview soon after the end of the game. “I offer my congratulations to the boys for making me and us together with my technical staff and all those involved in various aspects of the club for making us proud.”
On the game itself, Mageba said he was happy his charges took the ‘once beaten twice shy’ assertion to heart and played gallantly to overcome AmaSkills even though a minimum of a draw in the game was enough for the team to secure the crown.
On the challenges ahead in the uncharted waters of the Hollywoodbets Men’s Regional League, Mageba said one of the first things he would do was find a coach soon to guide the team in their maiden season and onwards.
“I would like to focus more on the marketing side of the team as travel and other expenses in that league are quite high and taxing. I will keep the core of the team intact but will beef it up with four or so toughies with experience of the big-league football.
“I have done my time with boys as a friend, mentor and father and I am happy they made it to the promotion and it’s now time for someone else to take the baton and run with it along with the boys.”
ALSO READ: Alexandra runner brings home a silver medal from the marathon
