Luso Africa wins 5-goal slugfest against Boksburg
Luso Africa won a five-goal slugfest when they defeated Boksburg Football Club 3-2, on a cold Saturday afternoon (May 21) at the Boksburg City Stadium, in an ELFA Super League encounter.
Following an entertaining opening half, where the visitors took a 2-1 lead into the half-time break, they continued their ascendancy into the second stanza as they threatened to widen their score advantage.
It was, indeed, Africa who created the first big chance of the half, following a slick move, but a reflex save by goalkeeper Chad Lubbe kept the Blues in the game.
The match then entered a rather frustrating stop-and-start period, due to silly fouls committed by both sides, which momentarily broke the flow of proceedings.
Following the momentum-breaking phase, Africa netted the fourth goal of the game from a fast-paced move that began on Boksburg’s left side of defence, an area in which the visitors found joy, almost throughout the game.
Africa found space again down that flank before a powerful shot whizzed past Lubbe to make it 3-1.
It was down that flank that the visitors almost made it four goals moments later, but this time Lubbe came out on top with another great save.
Boksburg were struggling to get a foothold in the game, with Africa’s taller and stronger midfielders dominating the 50-50 ball.
Brennan Peters’ men, however, began to gradually see more of the ball as they sought to get themselves back in the game in the match’s closing moments.
Their neat passing deprived Africa of possession at times, but their lack of penetration in the last third made life comfortable for Africa’s defence.
The Blues continued their search for their second goal, to give themselves a chance of at least claiming a point, and their persistence paid off when they made it 3-2 from a corner.
It was, unfortunately, too little too late for the local outfit as the visitors hung on for all three points.
“We started very well, obviously getting the first goal and then the second,” said Africa coach Richard Walker.
“Once we got the second, we were pretty comfortable, but lapses in concentration cost us with their first goal.
“I thought we were comfortable, we were all over Boksburg and when we scored our third we were relaxed until they got their second from a defensive error which put us under pressure and forced us to hang on for the 3-2 win.”
Walker’s counterpart, Peters, had a slightly different view and instead remained upbeat.
Trying times: Boksburg mentor Peters (right) and his assistant Donovan Sole (left), were not impressed.
“It was frustrating, very frustrating,” began the mentor.
“I think we could have done much better considering the chances we created.
“It’s our first season back in the Super League and a draw against Highlands Park and then to lose 3-2 to Luso Africa means we’re not that far off from the top teams in the league, that’s the positive.
“I think it’s a fair result, I didn’t think we deserved to win that game, but I also don’t think they deserved to win – a draw would’ve been better.”
Brent Vos, Marco Cabalerra and Donovan Thompson helped their side to the win, while Bruce Pollen and Patrick Jele replied for Boksburg. – @SabeloBoksburg
View galleries here: https://bit.ly/1O7vvEG
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