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Junior Spurs defeat Black Medal FC at KaBokweni Stadium
Junior Spurs FC claimed all the spoils with a 2-1 victory over Black Medal FC in the Safa Ehlanzeni U20 League at KaBokweni Stadium on Saturday, June 14. This marks Medal's second consecutive defeat in the league, following their 5-0 loss to TS Galaxy Academy.
In a thrilling start, both teams fought for dominance in the opening 15 minutes. Medal's defence was breached when Sibusiso Metane scored in the 18th minute, assisted by Tsepiso Mokoena of Spurs. Spurs continued to press for a second goal, but their well-constructed attack was denied by Medal's goalkeeper, Ayanda Khumalo, in the 27th minute.
Before the half-time break, Medal's Phiwokuhle Mamba and Samkelo Mazibuko missed two clear chances to level the score. At the break, Spurs led 1-0. Mcallen Nkosi of Medal equalised in the 46th minute, finishing a pass from Mamba after Spurs' Simphiwe Zulu committed a reckless foul just outside the box.
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With the score level at 1-1 by the 60th minute, Medal pushed forward in search of a second goal, but Spurs countered effectively, using their wingers to launch attacks and win several corners. In the 71st minute, Lindelani Silinda restored Spurs' lead with a well-worked goal, assisted by Vuyo Thwala.
The move followed a corner delivered by Ace Mkhwatshwa, bringing the score to 2-1. The first yellow card of the game was shown to Mamba for time-wasting after he kicked the ball out of play following the referee's whistle.
The second caution was issued to Lindelani Sifunda of Medal for fouling a Spurs player just outside their own box. The match ended 2-1 in favour of Junior Spurs FC.
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Black Medal FC coach Mancoba Sibiya expressed disappointment with the result after his side created several scoring opportunities in the second half.
'It is a heart-breaking loss, I did not expect it. We were at home in front of our fans, but, at the end of the day, we fell short 2-1. We did not score goals with the chances we made. We have to go back to training and organise the forwards and strikers to improve and be more clinical,' said Sibiya.
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Junior Spurs FC's coach, Xolani Sikhode, said he opted for five defenders to ensure they secured the three points away from home. 'I want to tell the truth – I'm disappointed in the boys, even though they won. They conceded a soft goal, and we were supposed to score a lot more. I used that defence because I didn't want to concede. Looking at our opponents, they made more chances than we did,' said Sikhode.
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