SHARPEVILLE.- “This win against log leaders has given us a belief that we can challenge the league title.”
So said Ben 10 FC coach, Kagiso Rakoma who was speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport after his team stunned Perfect Academy when they beat them 2-0 in the top-of-the-table Safa Sedibeng Hollywood Regional League Stream A match played at George Thabe Stadium in Sharpeville on Saturday.
Academy came into this game sitting at the summit of the log with Vaal Elite Academy second on the log. After this victory, Ben 10 FC fancies their chances to be crowned the champions in this stream at the end of the season.
Tempers were flying high on the benches with the referee having to issue some cards to bring the game under control with Perfect Academy coach, Sechaba Mofokeng being the first to be on the referee’s books for remonstrating against the assistant referee’s decisions.
The game started like a house on fire with both teams on attack and it was the visitors who took the lead in a run of play. Ben 10 FC came up with a game plan to play long balls forcing Academy’s defenders to defend with their backs against walls. Their strategy paid off when they won a set piece in the dangerous half and scored after a well-placed set piece in the box and in the back of the net with a tap in.
At this stage, Ben 10 FC was in control of the game with Academy desperate to get an equaliser but it was never the case. The game went to an interval with a score of 1-0 in favour of Ben 10 FC. Academy came in the second half like a house of fire taking the game to Ben 10 FC in search of an equaliser. However, Perfect Academy stood firm in defense of their lead.
The home supporters tried to cheer up their team but the visitors showed character and they doubled their lead, to make it 2-0. It was a mountain to climb for the home team to come back from this shock lead. When the referee blew the final whistle, it was celebrations all over the field, on the bench, and in stands.
“With this performance, I have no doubt that come the end of the season we will be among the teams that will be challenging the league title. I do not doubt that we are capable of causing an upset. I think there is a need to have a team that plays in ABC Motsepe League in this region since we don’t have any team. I believe as Ben 10 we can bring the ABC Motsepe League team back in Sedibeng but first we must win this stream and become overall winners to represent Sedibeng in the playoffs,” said Rakoma.
