20 December 2017 – Rhulani Mokwena’s eyes paced up and down the Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge group standings sheet he was holding in his hands on Wednesday afternoon, following his side’ (Sabelo Super Stars) 3-0 win over Sabbat FC.
The Orlando Pirates assistant coach was busy trying to work out the math in his head of which team, among the top three sides in Group E gunning for a top two finish to progress to the last 16, needs to lose in order for his side to slip through.
“Like I said before, my primary objective is to make sure that we finish within the top two of our group in order for us to go through. I know that we have to work a bit more on our goal scoring. I’ll admit that it is a three horse race (Sabelo Super Stars, La-Masia and Soweto All Stars). It’s tight, it’s very, very tight I tell you. If we were pitted in different group, I’m quite certain that we would have already gone through with the 13 points we already have. And that’s just to highlight how much tough this group is,” said Mokwena.
Unfortunately for him though, Premier Impala FC failed to do Sabelo Super Stars a favour after they failed to win or come away with a draw against La-Masia on Wednesday afternoon (20 December). Instead, Impala was handed a 3-0 hiding against a Westbury-based outfit that was more than determined to secure victory in order to increase their chances of progressing into the last 16 as debutants of this tournament.
However, in order for Mokwena’s team to go through though, group leaders Soweto All Stars FC and second placed La-Masia FC, who are both on 15 points, need to lose their last games of the group fixtures.
Should that happen, Sabelo All Stars would need to win their last group game to progress to the last 16.
Meanwhile, Mokwena spoke down on one of the violent conduct of one of the opposition’s technical staff members who rushed across the field to slap an assistant referee, after Sabelo All Stars had converted a goal out of their three scored on the day.
“I get disappointed when I hear that there are coaches who behave in that manner because I fall under the same umbrella, being a coach myself as well,” said Mokwena. “Emotions fly in a football match and it becomes very important for one to be an example to others on how to conduct themselves in such situations. Not only are we coaches but also role models to our players as well.”
DAY 20 RESULTS: DISCOVERY WALTER SISULU CHALLENGE
UNDER 17
1. White City Spurs 2 vs. 1 Orlando Real Sweepers
2. Greater Soweto Academy 0 vs. 0 Qhakaza Development
3. Midas Football Academy 2 vs. 1 Chiawelo Blue .com FC
4. Kopanang Bakwena 2 vs. 4 Protea Glen
5. FC Barcenal 2 vs. 4 KZN Shinning Stars
6. Movers FC 2 vs. 8 Pimville West Ham
OPEN CATEGORY
1. Ba2cada FC 2 vs. 1 Dibabas FC
2. PCO Young Ones 1 vs. 2 JC Power
3. Pimville Young Stars 2 vs. 1 Hillbrow Action FC
4. Sabbat FC 0 vs. 3 Sabelo Super Stars
5. White City Spurs 6 vs. 0 Mondeor Meteors
6. La-Masia FC 3 vs. 0 Premier Impala
7. Varsity College 6 vs. 0 Sodra FC
8. FC Barcenal 3 vs. 0 Movers FC
9. Imbabala F.C vs. *Kliptown Youth Programme * Walk Over
10. Protea Glen 0 vs. 1 Mapetla All Stars
11. Super Spurs 1 vs. 3 Inqaba FC
12. Strokes FC 2 vs. 0 Zola Real Glasgow
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(Image – Tebogo Ngwenya of Sabelo Super Stars is tackled by Siya Majola of Sabbatha during the
Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge Day20 on 20 December 2017 at Nike Football Training Centre, Soweto)
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