The London Road derby between the boys of Ikage and Zenzeleni primary schools ended in a 1–1 draw, denying Zenzeleni an early passage into the semis of the Discovery Cup with a game in hand.
A win for Zenzeleni in this derby would have seen them being the first school to book their place in the semis which will be played on 25 and 26 October with the final being played on 1 November.
Ikage opened the scoring in the first half of this exciting encounter through a piledriver from Tumelo Manyiki that proved too hot for the Zenzeleni goalie to handle.
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Zenzeleni could have quickly equalised but Liyema Mgoma failed to capitalise on a cross and his touch went wide of the goals. Mgoma missed another glorious opportunity when he shot straight at the keeper.
Time was beginning to run out for Zenzeleni and their prolific goal scorer, Gift Ndlovu saved them their blushes.
Zenzeleni was awarded a free kick just outside the box and Ndlovu made no mistake with a curler that went into the top corner to score his fifth goal of the tournament.
The celebratory frenzy from the Zenzelini players was a sight to behold who had most probably thought it was not going to be their day.
Zenzeleni, who has nine points from three games and has Ikage the same school breathing down their neck with seven points, now need a minimum of a draw in their last game to make it into the semi-finals.
A win for Ikage in their last group game will mean both schools will be tied on 11 points but Zenzeleni will then proceed to the semis due to a superior goal difference.
Ndlovu, Zenzeleni’s leading goal scorer in the tournament said he was delighted to have scored the equaliser that saved the day.
Asked what instructions their coach gave them after a bad performance against Dr Knak in their previous game, Ndlovu said the coach urged them to play as a unit and communicate.
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“It was through playing as a unit that we managed to be better and came from behind to grab an equaliser,” said the Super Stars player in the Alex league.
Ikage skipper, Manyiki said they had wanted to prove that the all-conquering Zenzeleni side was also beatable.
“We went into the game with only two things in mind, to play a better game and beat them and we almost did,” said the Super Starsplayer.
