TZANEEN: Celtic crowned 2018 KLG Easter Tournament champions
The prestigious 2018 edition of the annual Kaizer Letsoalo Games (KLG) Easter Tournament finally turned out to be a royal affair after the classy side of Royal Celtic, also known as Mplaeng, dropped the title jinx by annexing the championship Sunday.
This they majestically did by clinically beating Tzaneen Shining Stars 2-1 in a tough and exciting final staged at the Soccer City, Lephepane.
The two precious and pricey goals came via the dangerous left foot of veteran winger Matome Viper Maowasha (2nd minute) and by a long grass-cutter from the venomous foot of danger-man Nyathompo Ramodike in the 76th minute.
The first goal stunned the Shining Stars troops as they were about to settle down, while he second gal came via a well-worked move involving fantastic captain, Thabang Makgoba, and man of the man playmaker, Edgar Barnes Seshoka, in the left flank, before Nyathompo sealed the move with a clinical finish that left Shining Stars’ goal-minder, Guitar Rakgoale, totally flabbergasted.
The solitary and consolation goal for the Shining Stars camp came courtesy of a beautifully taken long drive by Mogale ‘Fix’ Maake in the 83rd minutes.
This sent the swarmed crowd of Royal Celtic into a serious panic mode.
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However, there was a huge sense of relief when referee Nthabi Nthoke, blew the final whistle to effectively declare Royal Celtic the deserved winners of the title.
This marked a historical moment in the life of the team as this is their first ever title as they were eluded so many times despite having very impressive line-up of players.
Watched by a full capacity crowd that had come from various settlements in the Greater Tzaneen area to pack the Soccer City facility to the rafters to witness this magnificent final.
On their way to the finals Royal Celtic beat Mogoboya Junior Chiefs 2-1 in the quarter-finals before eliminating the defending champions, Coin FC, in a hard-fought bloody battle in the semi-final.
It was only left to a penalty shoot-out to settle the impasse of a 1-1 score at the end of the regulation time.
Tzaneen Shining Stars wiped out the promising MM Super Stars 1-0 in the opening match, and went on to beat Bubs 2-0 in the last -8 round before eliminating Napscom 2-0 in the semi-finals.
In the contest for bronze medals (position 3) Napscom emerged 6-2 victors over Coin FC to claim a place in the medals platform.
The Royal Celtic captain, Thabang Makgoba, was overwhelmingly nominated as the “Player of the Tournament” and won individual trophy and a lucrative voucher from Matlou Business Centre.
Kaizer Chiefs legend and member of the Kaizer Chiefs Development, Ntsie Lancelot Maphike, was full of praise for the performance given by all the teams, especially the finalists.
He said he was amazed by the atmosphere of the KLG tournaments.
“This is so amazing, and trust me, I will be back in August for the KLG School Sort Event and the 10th anniversary celebrations”, said Maphike.
He added that there are many talented players in KLG Spirt who need to be looked at.
“These boys deserve to be forgiven a chance”, concluded Maphike.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the activities of the KLG Super and KLG Premier leagues resume this weekend.
However, next weekend is reserved for the 2018 KLG Top 8 competition (for Premier division teams) and the KLG Supa 8 competition (for Super division teams).
Further information on the activities of KLG Sport may be obtained from the league administrator (Trilly: 0823564056) and League Chairman (Sape: 0732425265).
