Selati Cup reaches the last four in Nkomazi
The quarter-finals were hailed the finals before the final by excited soccer supporters.
The Selati Cup quarter-final games played at the KaMhlushwa Stadium on Sunday were a spectacle and a display of quality football from the eight teams that had qualified.
Played before a jam-packed stadium, this year’s quarter-finals were a marvel to watch, with soccer supporters calling it the finals before the final.
The first game of the day between the SND Young Boys and Magogeni Liverpool produced five goals, with the latter booking a space for themselves in the semis after winning 5-0.
The second game, between Driekoppies Barcelona and the Lugedlane Wanderious, saw over 15 penalty kicks taken, after the game had ended on a two-all draw during regulation time.
It was the Wanderious who won this battle, securing themselves a spot in the last four.
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The game of the day between neighbours and new arch-rivals Langeloop Blue Cranes and KaMhlushwa Madrid produced fireworks from the onset until the final whistle, with the Blue Cranes clinching a famous 4-1 victory.
There was tension between the two teams ahead of this clash, with many soccer fans giving the victory to Madrid, but the Blue Cranes’ had their own script to write.
Speaking to Mpumalanga News, Blue Cranes founder and coach, Thokozani Mkhatshwa, said they came to this clash well prepared as they had carefully studied their opponents.
He said they now have their eyes fixed on the semi-finals and will fight tooth and nail to make it all the way to the final and eventually lift the coveted Selati Trophy for the first time since the team was founded some six years ago.
“We fought hard to get here and we will never stop now until we reach the final. My players want to play in the final again and perhaps win it this time around,” said Mkhathswa.
Another semi-finalist coach, Thembinkosi Ntandane of Magogeni Liverpool, said he was happy that his team has reached the last four and promised to bring all guns to help them reach the final.
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“Just like any other team in this competition, we too are in it to win it and therefore, we will come back here over the weekend and fight for a place in the final,” said Ntandane.
The Wanderious coach, Walter Sambo, whose team survived a scary penalty shoot-out, said he was happy that they are now through to the semis and also promised something magical.
“This was one of our toughest games ever. We knew they were going to throw everything at us, but we fought bravely and came out tops. Our focus now is on the semis and to qualify for the final day. It will not be easy, but we will take each game as it comes and we will fight,” said Sambo.
