LIMPOPO – GOLDEN Aces emerged as ultimate victors in the toughest – up to date edition of the annual Kaizer Letsoalo Games (KLG) Soccer Tournament held at Lephepane last weekend.
The tournament was a true test of character on the part of Makhema a Khaphamadi, as Golden Aces are popularly known. Golden Aces lifted the coveted floating trophy after beating the much-fancied side of Leswika Classic 2-1 in a drama-filled pulsating final staged in front of thousands of football fanatics who had filled the facility to its brims on Sunday.
The victorious side took an early 2-0 lead after a gutsy performance from its danger men, Samuel ‘Mabu’ Modiba and Mpho ‘Nelly’ Mathole. The solitary goal for Leswika Classic was netted by the reliable Tsella Sebela in the 75th minute. On their way to the finals, Aces beat Monatic 2-1, KL Buffaloes 3-1 and Mmaphala Peter United 5-4 on penalty shoot-out.
Leswika Classic had a very tough run on their way to the finals. In their opening match they were lucky to escape defeat at the hands of Mapantsula, thanks to their goalkeeper’s miraculous performance. They beat Mapantsula 1-0. This was followed by another tough match against tournament favourites Mogoboya Junior Chiefs whom they beat 3-1 after a penalty shoot-out. In the semi-finals, they eliminated Rita All Stars after yet another penalty shoot-out.
The losers’ finals were contested by Rita All Stars and Mmaphala Peter United for a position three spot and Mmaphala Peter United emerged victorious after registering a 1-0 scoreline. The head of the organising committee, Tony Kudumela, said this year’s edition of the tournament was the toughest yet as too many matches were decided via the route of penalty shoot-out.
The next events for the KLG Sport are the schools sport event in August and the KLG Heritage Event in September which will see teams contesting for the new competition in honour of the late Kgoshi Ledikwa Mogoboya of the Batlhabine Royal House. This will be followed by the Pamo Cup in December, and then the new Papalome Tournament in the January pre-season.
The man of the match prizes in the form of vouchers from the Matlou Business Centre were won by no less than eight players from different teams that reached the quarter-finals. These included Mpho Nelly Mathole, Samuel ‘Mabu’ Modiba (both Golden Aces), Amos Masiye, Tsella Sebela (both of Leswika Classic) and All Night Mhlongo (Rita All Stars).
The biggest winner in terms of the individual prizes from the Matlou Business Centre was Classic’s newly-recruited goalkeeper Amos Masiye, who won the two big prizes for being both goalkeeper of the tournament and player of the tournament. The top goal scorer award went to All Night Mhlongo of Rita All Stars.
Winners received prize money in the form of cheques and medals. Any information relating to KLG Sport and all its leagues and competitions may be obtained from the chairperson of KLG Sport, Marupine Sape at 073 242 5265 or the administrator of KLG Sport, Trilly Mogoboya at 082 356 4056.
