Waterbergers pin their hopes on Giant Killers

The Waterberg football fraternity is relying on the Lephalale based SAB League side, Palala Giant Killers to bring home the SAFA Second Division (ABC Motsepe League) status.

Palala Giant Killers FC qualified for the provincial play-offs after outshining Modimolle Troublemakers FC and Sekgakgapeng Young Cosmos FC.

The showdown was held at the Bela Bela High School venue, with soccer lovers from as far as Mokopane, Lephalalale and Modimolle coming in numbers to witness the spectacular regional event.

Modimolle Troublemakers FC went down 2-0 to the Mokopane-based Sekgakgapeng Young Cosmos, during the first match of the day.

To Troublemakers’ advantage, Palala Giant Killers FC humbled Sekgakgapeng Young Cosmos with a 4-1 whipping in the second match of the play-offs.

It was however a mountain to climb for the Modimolle lads, as they had to score five goals and keep a clean sheet, in their last match against Palala Giant Killers FC to be crowned Waterberg champions.

The Lephalalale-based team proved to be more determined to gain promotion, when they confirmed their place in the provincial play-offs with a 3-0 win over Troublemakers FC.

The play-offs did not go without drama though, as tensions ran high among supporters of both Modimolle Troublemakers FC and Sekgakgapeng Young Cosmos.

The disgruntled supporters blamed the officiating referees for being responsible for their teams’ exit from the play-offs.

Palala Giant Killers FC director Paseka Monyeki said the fact that they finished their stream of the league early, gave them enough time to do proper planning and prepare for the play-offs.

“Last season we were knocked out of the regional play-offs due to technical mistakes. This season we had to make sure that we commit no mistakes and had to give it our best shot. It was difficult because we were playing against both Troublemakers and Young Cosmos for the first time, but watching the first match between the two gave us an opportunity to understand their style of play,” he said.

Monyeki commended his team for remaining disciplined and displaying the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

Palala Giant Killers FC will now represent the Waterberg region during the play-offs which were scheduled for Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July at Nkowa-Nkowa Stadium in the Mopani region.

Should Palala Giant Killers win the provincial play-offs, or at least emerge as runners-up, the Waterberg region will register its first team in the SAFA Second Division since the relegation
of Modimolle Terrors FC in the year 2016.

– The BEAT