The Rep 06 May 2022

PHOENIX BIRDS CATCHING ON FIRE P11
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Swallows sweat it to win
Home side face one of hardest
games against Young Minds
ZINTLE BOBELO
Leading SAB league soccer
team MK Academy FC,
from Dongwe, is the ruling
champion in stream B of the
competition after playing a
tough home game against
second on the log, Young Minds
FC, at the weekend.
Now gunning for the
regional play-offs, coach
Bulelani Sindelo said the match
was highly technical and had to
be one of the toughest games in
the season.
The teams drew 2-2 with
Sindelo indicating that the team
only needed one point to make
it to the end.
“They [Young Minds]
surprised us by scoring early in
the first half, but the boys
showed character and came
b a ck .
“In the first few minutes of
the second half we were
punished again. We knew that if
we lost the game we were
finished.
“We managed to equalise.
We fought hard, knowing we
were the home team so we had
to be in control of the game.”
Proud Sindelo said his
players gave it their all and had
executed the plan well.
“When we qualified to
represent the region at the
Nedbank Cup, our president
said we had the potential to win
the league. That was our
mandate and everyone knew
that this was our time.
“We will watch our
opponents in the games from
stream A so we can come back
and prepare.”
Meanwhile, at the Dumpy
Adams Sports Complex on
Saturday, Rocklands Swallows
FC took on Komani Stars in a
match ending in a 3-2 score to
S wa l l ow s .
S wa l l ow s ’ Xolani Witbooi
said it was a decent, but
Bad start for
Komani teams in
Border leagues
THE BATTLEFIELD: Rocklands Swallows FC, who came out top in an SAB league game against
AFC Komani Stars FC at the Dumpy Adams Sports Complex on Saturday Picture: ZINTLE BOBELO
challenging game for his team.
“Komani Stars came on strong in
the second half and our
WALK THE TALK
substitute players took some
time to gel and get in sync with
the other players.
“All in all it was a good
g a m e .”
Witbooi added that
Swallows players managed to
manoeuvre in the first half and
obtain the two goals to lead.
“Our game plan went well,
however, there were signs of
fatigue. Next time we plan to
strengthen our defence.”
Midfielder Olwethu Yalwa
and striker of the day, Sivuyile
Sampisi, netted the goals for
Swallows, while Amahle
Ngxozi (midfielder) and
Sibulele Matoti at right back
secured the goals for Komani
Stars.
Komani Stars coach
Simamkele Mtwecu
commended the boys for their
lively spirit.
“I feel there were a lot of
areas to improve on. Decisionmaking
is one of them.
“We were the dominant
team, but we somehow ended
on the wrong side of things.
“It was a good game, I
enjoyed it but I felt we should
have won had we played with
more intensity in the first place.
“They took their chances
and that is what football is
about. You need to score
g o a l s .”
MAXWELL LEVINE
It was a black day for rugby in
Komani at the start of the Border
super and premier leagues
when both the matches of
Breakers and Shining Stars had
to be forfeited, with points going
to the opposition.
What made matters worse is
that both Breakers and Stars had
home ground advantage.
Breakers were made to rue
their chances of snatching a win
at home when their super
league match against Black
Eagles was called off in the
second half due to an
incomplete trauma board.
Why the match started in the
first place is anyone’s guess.
Rules clearly state that no
match should take place if there
is no first-aider or the required
medical equipment is not in
place.
The safety of the players is of
❝ Inadequate fields
and the lack of
facilities play a large
role in hampering
the development of
rugby in the region
utmost importance and, as such,
there was a clear breach as the
referee allowed the match to
start, only to halt it in the second
half. Pre-match inspections
must be adhered to and there
was an oversight in this regard.
Due to the fact that the home
team is responsible for first aid
and medical equipment,
chances are that Black Eagles
will receive the full haul of
points for the match.
It went from bad to worse
when Shining Stars could not
host Bussy Boys in their premier
league clash.
Inadequate fields and the
lack of facilities in Komani will
play a large role in hampering
the development of rugby.
This is just the start of many
foreseeable problems that will
face the Komani teams, with
only one playable field available
to cater for five teams.
A clash of fixtures will occur.
Only Thobi Kula stadium is
deemed playable, with Mlungisi
stadium in a dire state.
Bussy Boys will pick up five
points without kicking a ball.
In other super league results,
Young Leopards provided the
shock of the weekend when
they thrashed defending
champions Swallows 30-8.
Ntlaza Lions made sure of
their points when they trounced
HEALTH IS WEALTH: Enjoying morning exercise at the N6 View Lesseyton colour fun run/walk on Saturday were, from
left, Polela Shenxane, Enoch Mgijma Local Municipality chief whip Nombuyiselo Ndlebe and Buyelwa Nyabaza. See story
on Page 11 Picture: ZINTLE BOBELO
EL Police 30-24.
Old Selbornians defeated
Fort Hare Blues 21-13 with
Ncerha Leopards beating
Buffalo 29-15.
The match between WSU All
Blacks and Berlin Tigers did not
take place as there was a late
change in venue. Tigers will be
awarded the points.
On Saturday Police host
WSU All Blacks at Police Park,
with Swallows also at home
against Old Boys.
Breakers travel to Ncerha
Leopards with Black Eagles at
home to Buffs at Mpongo rugby
fields. Berlin Tigers will take to
the field for the first time against
Ntlaza Lions.
Fort Hare Blues will be at
home at Davidson stadium
against Young Leopards.
In the premier league,
Shining Stars travel to
E ve r g r e e n s .
Bussy Boys are at home
against WSU Eagles. Ocean
Sweepers tackle Winter Rose
with Wallabies taking on United
Brothers.
Moonlight host Ngculu
Zebras as Cambridge take the
short trip to King William's
Town for a date with Africans.
At home, Old Collegians
will play against WSU
Whittlesea at the indoor
stadium in a pre-season friendly.
All matches start at 3.30pm.