Heroic debut for Waterberg rookies

The newly-promoted Vaalwater-based team Volcano FC got off to a explosive start of the new season, when they eliminated Modimolle Troublemakers FC from the Nedbank Cup with a 3-0 score-line.

The two Waterberg Regional Men’s League teams clashed at the Ephraim Mogale Stadium in Modimolle on Saturday, 7 September, as part of the regional knockout stages of the coveted Nedbank Cup tournament.

Troublemakers FC, who ended their 2018/19 league race as tail-enders (position 12), went into the home match against the lesser known Volcano FC who were promoted from the Local Football
Association (LFA), with the hope to redeem its status but it was never meant to be.

Following the gallant victory, Volcano FC coach Brighton Sibanda said they did not alter anything, never mind the fact that they were preparing for a team that has been playing in the higher
echelons for many years.

“This is our first match since we were promoted into the Waterberg Regional Men’s League, so we were just experimenting. Our agreement with the players was to go there and play just like we did in the LFA league. Throughout the match we tried to keep our shape and pay attention to every little mistake they commit so we can strike,” he said.

Sibanda said they were ready to square off with the next opponent, and were also looking forward to the first league match of the season.

Troublemakers FC coach Surprise Mawela said they were in the process of transforming the team, as they parted ways with many of their regular players.

He said they are now working on assembling a solid team ahead of the first league match.

“We had the potential to win the match, but we unfortunately lost because of our own mistakes. Most of our players are still young and never played at this (regional) level before,” he said.

Mawela, who enters into the second season as Troublemakers’ head coach, said they have identified a few challenges that they will focus on, in order to prepare better for the 2019/20 football
season.

The Vaalwater team will once again travel to Modimolle for their cup encounter with Waterberg Regional Men’s League reigning champions, Modimolle Terrors FC, on Saturday 14 September.

Modimolle Terrors FC eliminated Mookgophong Barcelona FC last weekend with a 3-0 margin, to earn a place in the next stages of the tournament.

In other fixtures, Qualitho FC will host Swagger FC in Rapotokwane Grounds, while Boys 2 Men FC welcomes Bela-Bela Soccer Academy at Vaalwater’s Tigers’ Grounds on Saturday.

— The BEAT