Crusaders are a step closer to promotion playoffs

A bitter ending at Randburg Sports Complex, with players breaking down on their knees as their hopes of becoming the 2024 Rand Central Local Football Association seniors champions were dashed.

Randburg FC hosted Crusaders Football Club in a derby and the top of the table clash. The hosts needed a win to try and close the three-point gap and move to the top of the log-on goal difference. However, the visitors had their own plans of extending their lead to six points with two games left to play.

It was all or nothing for these two sides, and the game surely lived up to expectations. The goals, skills, aggressiveness, the drama and the tears at the end were all on display.

The teams were ripping each other apart in the first 45 minutes trying to find the back of the net and also by all means trying not to concede first. It was the end-to-end attack by Randburg attacking the sides using the speed of Mpho Mpholoane and Bahadile Dwiketla that dominated.

Crusaders turned things around in the second stanza. They took the game to the host and shifted it to the second gear. Onkgorotse Latakgomo’s well-taken volley found the back of the net (1–0) and left the home side stunned.

The home side had to work twice as hard to come back but Lakakgomo hit them again with a cracker to give his side a 2–0 lead. The home side did not give up – they kept fighting and they got a consolation goal in the dying minutes of the game from a penalty kick by Edidiong Imeh to make it 2–1.

Crusaders coach Lefate Makunyane explained the game is always tough when they play Randburg and emotions are always high.

“It was a balanced game. The boys knew how important the game was. Congratulations to Randburg; they fought till the end and congratulations to the boys – they deserve it.”

Crusaders need one point in their next match to be crowned the Champions of 2024 and start preparing for the Regional League playoffs.

“This game is done and we are now focusing on the next game and then we will start planning for the playoffs. It will be hard because we will be competing with teams we do not know so we need to work hard. We need our players to be motivated and we will make sure every player believes in themselves.”

Dominic Shwarz said that he is proud of his lads for fighting the full 90 minutes of the game. He added that the battle between the teams throughout the season has been tough. “We wish them all the best. We will do our best to see where we finish as well. Hopefully, next season we will come back even stronger.”

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