Alex Mates conquer in Philly’s Games

Alex Mates emerged victorious in the 24th Philly’s Games, a festive Tembisa soccer tournament, pocketing a R200 000 first prize.

Alex Mates beat Abarondoni 3-1 at a filled-to-capacity Makhulong Stadium on December 30.

The new kids in the prestigious games wowed the crowds, who didn’t expect Mates to win.

“We were not the crowd’s favourites throughout the tournament, but after beating Rebels, who were the 2015 champions of Philly’s Games, fans realised that we meant business,” said Alex Mates’ coach, Mr Soso Nkosi.

He said the soccer team was created at the last minute before the kick-off of the 2016 Philly’s Games tournament.

“We were only four and we approached a Gauteng team playing in the Promo league and proposed an amalgamation. Days before the beginning of the tournament we extended an invitation to the public and asked interested players to join us,” said Mr Nkosi.

“Players responded very well.”

He said it was Alex Mates’ first appearance in the tournament, but Mr Nkosi himself is an experienced coach.

“I told them that history can repeat itself. I led another team to 2013 Philly’s Games victory. As Alex Mates we promised Alexandra people that we were going to bring the win home and we did conquer,” said Mr Nkosi.

He said their first game was rather tough because Alex Mates was tipped against Ezimnandi FC, another Alexandra contender, but they managed to win.

“We won 2-1 in the first leg and beat them 3-1 in the second leg.”

Alex Mates were then left the only representatives of Alexandra Township in the Philly’s Games.

He said as the tournament progressed and it became tougher, the management and the technical team had to give the Alex Mates players a pep talk.

“We alerted them that going further it was going to be tough. The game would demand complete focus and concentration.

“We had a mix of old and young players. The older players had to look out for the younger ones as we pursued the victory,” he said.

“The younger players were scared and not sure what to expect but they got support from the technical team.”

When asked about Alex Mates’ performance in the final game, the coach said that in their final match they had to unsettle Abarondoni FC from the outset by scoring a goal.

Ten minutes into the first half of the game Alex Mates’ Thabiso Manyama rose to the challenge and scored the first goal of the match.

In the next five minutes Alex Mates conceded a goal, bringing the score to 1-1.

“I kept shouting and encouraging my players not to lose focus, to keep shape and build up to maintain positional play,” said Mr Nkosi.

When the referee blew the whistle for a rest, the score still 1-1.

“In our second half I pulled out an injured young player and made a substitute. I took my winger and made him a striker and told the players to forget about the 12th player, which is the crowd,” said Mr Nkosi.

He said he knew the opposition would try to drop balls behind Alex Mates’ defence because Abarondoni had speedy wingers and a tall striker.

“We just needed to win the ball and give a patient build-up and that earned us a free kick, which got us another goal,” said Mr Nkosi.

“I took out a striker and brought in another mid-fielder. We then played without a striker. Maintaining a build-up was our strategy and that got us the winning third goal.”

Abarondoni, coached by the legendary former Orlando Pirates player Mr Jerry Skhosana, succumbed to the novice competitors when they got whipped 3-1.

Mr Nkosi said the tournament was well organised.

“We are so happy that the tournament went smoothly.”

He said many people from Alexandra Township came out to support the team and on behalf of Alex Mates he wanted to thank them.