Dainfern Lions Football Club snatch spot in final after beating Wits

Dainfern Lions Football Club is preparing to play in a cup final after roaring past Wits Juniors Futsal 2–0 in a tough semi-final match. Dainfern played away at Wits Marks Park, Emmarentia, on a warm spring evening on 20 September.

Ultimate glory was on the line for the U17 teams in the Rand Central Local Football Association Cup, and both sides came to win. The previous time the teams met, Wits had won 5–3. And so, the gameplan Dainfern had formed for the match had to be implemented perfectly, which it was.

“It was a very hard, fast and competitive semi-final,” said Dainfern’s chairperson, Nic Papas.

“We played wide, tucked into the box and then shot at goal. We drew their players out but kept a solid off-side trap which worked and it all gave our strikers space to do their job.”

McBollan Munako and George Barbaressos scored goals in the 47th and 65th minutes respectively, to secure the win.

The date and venue for the cup final are yet to be confirmed, but Papas relishes the challenge that will be against Kibbler Park United Football Club. He said his team has a good chance of winning, but declined to say whether it would be an easier or harder match than the semi-final, as all knockout games are difficult.

“It has been a good season for Dainfern and we could win a trophy here. Last season we had nine players make the district teams and this year we had 35.”

Eight of these 35 players found themselves in the U17 team, which shows how strong the side is. Papas said the winter soccer season is drawing to a close, but a short, two-month summer season will be held in October and November.

He encouraged anyone interested in joining the club to send him an email.

Details: Dainfern Lions Football Club nic@dainfernlions.co.za