The Nkomazi-based ABC Motsepe League campaigners, Phiva Young Stars, could easily have walked over the National First Division League giants, Jomo Cosmos when they met in the Nedbank Cup at the Kamhlushwa Stadium on Saturday, but lack of experience and composure in front of goals let them down.
As a result, Cosmos cruised to the last 16, with a hard-fought
2-1 victory.
Even Stars coach, Humpry Mlwane, the former Kaizer Chiefs defender, attest to the fact that his charges were let down by experience and stage fright.
“I believe we were the better team of the two and we created enough goalscoring chances which could have easily won the game for us by at least three goals, had they been converted, but I guess experience let us down,” said Mlwane.
Played before a sold-out crowd, this clash produced all the ingredients a cup game should have, such as individual skills, shibobos and goals.
“The boys lost concentration and allowed the opposition to come at us and we gave that silly penalty away which proved to be the decider. But as you have, we dictated matters throughout the game but missed two clear-cut goalscoring opportunities
and as you know, in football you get punished if you miss such opportunities,” explained Mlwane.
Stars might have ended up on the losing side and although they were outplayed by Cosmos, they should take pride in their performance and would have undoubtedly learnt a great deal from this encounter.
The team’s CEO, Rev Nicholas Siboza, said he had no doubt that they would win the league and proceed to play in the national play-offs, but only if the team continued to play in the way they held Cosmos.
“Yes, we were hoping for a victory, but we are not angry or bitter, instead we used this game as a learning curve. We need to turn our thorough concentration to the league. We want to play in the NFD league next season,” said Siboza.