The National U19 stormed into the semi-finals of the Durban u19 International tournament with a 100 percent record after hammering Brazil’s Fluminense FC 4-2.
The national team continued with their winning streak and remained the only side in the tournament to have won all 3 games in the group stages. The only thing that the team needed was a draw, as they had already qualified for the semis but they surprised the unsuspecting crowd when they demolished Brazils Fluminense by 4-2.
Although it took too long to see an opening goal, the match was fast paced, just before the end of the first half at the 40th minute, Keabetswe Mokwena opened the scoring account for National U19. 8 minutes later, Katlego Mohamme was unlucky and scored an own goal. The first half ended with 1-1.
Tebogo Qinisile sealed the match when he scored in the 72nd minute. The Samba Boys tried to come back but it wasn’t to be. David Notoane’s boys comfortably walked into the semis finals standing tall with a 4-2 victory.
The final push between TP Mazembe and Rangers FC in securing the semi-final spot in the tournament was full of surprises today and saw the Teddy Bears scoring the fastest goal of the tournament thus far. Liam Burt took advantage of the absent minded TP Mazembe back four and converted a scintillating goal that saw Rangers take the lead.
The fast paced goal was a wake-up call for TP Mazembe as they speedily re-grouped, Manda released an on target thunderous cross but the shot was flicked over the bar by the Rangers goalie.
The fighting spirit of TP Mazembe earned them an equaliser in the 17th minute through Kisangala, who is currently the team’s leading goal scorer. Kisangala didn’t stop there, he subsequently secured the Congolese giants a 3-2 lead against their determined opponents in the 26th minute. Rangers later missed an opportunity to secure a second gaol when they had a one on one moment with TP Mazembe’s goalie, but failed to materialise any goals. Rangers’ efforts finally paid off when Lewis White converted a magnificent goal in the 36th minute. Lack of concentration for TP Mazembe in their back-line resulted in their opponents scoring a whooper in the 45th minute. Half-time stood at a 3-3 draw.
The game however ended in Kitenge scoring a show stopping goal in the 93rd minute and that’s how TP Mazembe advanced to the semi-finals with a 4-3 win.
Semi Final Fixtures – 04 August 2016 – Moses Mabhida Stadium,/h4>
14h15 Arsenal vs. TP Mazembe
16h45 National U19 vs. Sporting Lisbon
Leading Goal scorers
| No | Player Name | Club Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | K Mayo | SA U 19 5 |
| 19 | B Kisangala | TP Mazembe 3 |
| 9 | S Mavididi | Arsenal 2 |
| 10 | P Pedro | Fluminense 2 |
| 17 | C de Oliveira | Fliminense 2 |
Log Standing
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Sporting Lisbon | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Golden Arrows | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| KZN Academy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 3 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National U19 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 9 |
| TP Mazembe | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 10 | -4 | 6 |
| Fluminense | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 3 |
| Rangers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 11 | -3 | 0 |