Sporting defeats Northerns
This was Northerns' second home loss following a 2-1 defeat to Thanda Aces last week.
The Benoni Northerns Football Club (BNFC) hierarchy watched in disbelief when the club’s first team was torn to shreds by Sporting in their Eastern Super League (ESL) top-eight cup match on the Ted Jarvis field on February 10.
Sporting striker George Khumalo helped himself to a brace as the ESL runners-up ran out 4-1 winners on a day Northerns will want to forget after a calamitous display at home.
They were run ragged, outplayed and made to chase shadows in front of their home fans. Not even BNFC founder Manny Ferreirinho’s presence in the stands and the fact that the club is celebrating its 50th anniversary could inspire a comeback from the players.
It’s still early in the season to panic, though. However, the manner in which the club capitulated showed the amount of work coach Andrew Kelly still has to do to turn them into title contenders, especially with the ESL season set to start in early March.
Despite the home team’s struggles, it was an entertaining encounter, thanks to the visitors who imposed themselves early on. The hosts looked disjointed in midfield and lacked the fluidity and flair the club’s faithful have become accustomed to under Kelly.
Sporting tested the waters first, hitting the post with their first attack, but Khumalo found the breakthrough against the run of play to put his team in front.
David Sikhosana, fed from the middle, set up the attacker. The winger evaded his marker, pushed forward, raised his head and spotted Khumalo unmarked in the area. The striker fetched and then turned 90°, poking the ball home as Sporting drew first blood.
But Northerns striker Nicholas Farinha equalised deep in the first half to bring his team back into the contest. The former Orlando Pirates reserve player pounced on a half chance from a corner kick, ensuring both teams went into the half-time break tied at 1-1.
The visitors began the second half as the most inspired of the two sides when Khumalo grabbed his second early in the half. After keeper Cole Simpson saved a George Bavuma shot, the ball fell to Khumalo. The impressive Michael Juanas-Uriol blocked his first attempt, but he capitalised on the loose ball to make it two.
Bavuma added his name to the scoresheet after burying a mistake by the Northerns defence. Alberto Ogumba killed the game later as Sporting advanced to the next round with a routine victory.
The reserve teams kicked off matters early in the day, and after an entertaining display from both sides, the match ended in 2-2.
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