Taung Mighty Boys from the North West Province beat Langlaagte United by 5–4 via penalty shootout to be crowned champions of this year’s Greater Randfontein Easter Soccer Tournament (Grest).
Like 2018, this year’s Grest is one that locals would prefer to forget after both Mohlakeng Four Stars and Home Stars only managed to reach the semifinals in what was the 19th edition of the showpiece in 2019. The tournament was held during the four-day Easter weekend, from Friday, 19 April to Monday, 22 April, at the Patrick Ace Ntsoelengoe Stadium in Mohlakeng.
Home Stars suffered a heavy 3–0 defeat against Langlaagte United, while Mohlakeng Four Stars lost narrowly via a penalty shootout that ended on 2–1 against eventual winners Taung Mighty Boys.
Abe Montoedi, the Grest organiser, said teams had to play in very difficult conditions on certain days as the pitch was soaked with water due to heavy rain.
He said before the final between Taung Mighty Boys and Langlaagte United could even start, Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) workers had to intervene to make the field playable.
“It made it very challenging for players to control the ball and it took a big effort from the RWCLM to remove the excess water from the pitch before the final game could commence.
“We had every intention of calling off the game, but Mighty Boys insisted that the game should go on, saying they had come all the way from the North West to play. Despite our predicament, we had a good crowd turnout the last two days. We were, however, disappointed with the weather this year, but there is nothing you can do if Mother Nature intervenes.”
