Malandela Mighty Heroes’ U17 team has gone through to the finals of the Maimane Alfred Phiri (Map) Games 2016 after grinding out a result from a tough opponent.
They won the semifinals 2–1 against a gritty Phomolong All Stars team that fought from the first whistle right up to the end of the match played at the Alexandra Stadium.
Mighty Heroes’ astute coach Vincent Rammoni had anticipated his qualification for the finals which will be played at the No 3 Square Grounds on Youth Day, 16 June, and had rested some of his key players from the quarterfinals match in which he faced arch-rivals, Real Madrid and clobbered them 5–1 in a thriller that kept the small audience on the edge of their seats.
A clash between Mighty Heroes and Madrid resembles the famous Premier Soccer League’s Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, and their U13 teams are always used as curtain raisers to big matches because of their football flair and nimble feet.
After going past this hurdle of Madrid, Rammoni must have thought his work was all done and dusted, but he almost lost it to a determined All Stars team that never says die.
The teams were evenly matched in all the time of play but the Mighty Heroes outfit must just count themselves lucky to have scraped through to a tamer Gunners in the final.
Although they missed two quick opportunities within five minutes of the start, Mighty Heroes opened the scoring account in the 24th minute from a powerful strike by Brendon Ngoma.
All Stars replied in the first minute of the second half with a Sanele Masiso header from a free kick just outside the box. Masiso is a Phomolong Secondary School boy from Thembisa,
In the dying minutes of the game, Lethabo Mazibuko sealed the final berth for the Mighty Heroes when he thundered a grass cutter past the All Stars the keeper.
“It was a difficult match which I did not anticipate. The boys were a bit scrappy and disjointed but I am delighted we’re through to the final for the last hurdle in defending our trophy,” said Rammoni.
Meanwhile, U20 division defending champions, Gauteng FC bombed out in the semis after being beaten 3–1 by Limpopo side Baroka FC, who will now face Alex Young Lions in the final of that division. The Young Lions beat Howza De Laz 2–1 to book their spot.
