Chronicle Editor
Mandla Moyo, Sunday News Correspondent
Emakhandeni United (Man U) are the winners of the first edition of the Bulawayo Social Soccer League Super Cup after edging Makwee 3-2 in a tightly contested match held in Tshabalala Extension last week.
The match started at a slow pace as the teams tried to adjust to the tough conditions presented by the pitch which resembled a “potato field.” Once settled, Man U, led by to former Premier Soccer League players Abraham Mubaiwa, formerly with Highlanders as well as Mpumelelo Moyo, a former Bosso junior who made his name at Chapangu, were a marvel to watch as they stroked to ball around in search of empty pockets to occupy.
Halfway through the first-half Mubaiwa found himself unmarked at the edge of the box and released a powerful header to put his team ahead. A few minutes later they were back in business for their second goal which took them to half-time. After the break they quickly found another one taking their tally to three goals without a reply. Suddenly, Makwee came out of their shell to score two quick goals in succession. Despite creating a lot of opportunities, fatigue began to take its toll and they could not play catch up.
An elated Admore Jonga, Man U Assistant coach said it felt good to be the first team to take home the new kid on the block.
“As a coach it feels good to be the first team to win something new because your name becomes the first one to be engraved on the cup. I hope this win lays a good foundation for the coming season,” said Jonga.
Thando “Malume” Dube, Makwee captain was not happy about the preparations for the game.
“I think preparations for this game let us down because we encountered a lot of problems. However, I think our keeper let us down by failing to deal with those two corner kicks which produced those two goals. Those two mistakes obviously affected the morale of the whole team but I want to say congrats to Man U. Whenever we play them we enjoy being on the pitch as they bring the best out of us,” said Dube.
Meanwhile, action resumes for the 2023 season this morning.
Group A: Kick off 11:00
Cream tata vs Stars FC 9 (Lobengula Youth Centre), Patapata vs 70 Combination (Iminyela 2), Funda vs Brotherhood (Tshabalala Extension ), Cowdray Masters vs FC Pirates (TM Cowdray Park), Magwegwe Bullets vs Edgars (Magwegwe High), Tigers vs Old Timers (Mazayi), Mthala vs Makwee (Bango), Iminyela vs Zulu Chiefs (Iminyela 1), Man U vs Fireworks (Emakhandeni), Vulavale vs Glenkara (Magwegwe West)
Group B: Kick off 11:00, unless stated
Ndola vs Happy Valley (Iminyela 1, 1300hrs); Pioneer vs Bombers (Bango, 1300hrs), Santos vs West Comm (Isilwane Youth Centre), R.Sinyoka vs Hyde Park (Robert Sinyoka), Pelandaba Legends vs Congo (Induba Pry School), Gwabalanda vs Osiphatheleni (Amakhosi), BCT vs Mabuthweni (Luveve — opposite stadium), Emganwini Legends vs Khami (Food 4 Less), Wembley vs Delta (Lobengula Secondary), Nketa vs 94 Strivers (Nketa)
GROUP C : Kickk off 11: 00 unless stated
Real Shwelele vs Finance (Inyathi Youth Centre, 13:00), Zobha vs Zonke (Sizinda), NJC vs Nkulumane
(Mazayi, 13:00), Sekusile vs Skippers (Esporweni ), Wolves vs Shwelele (Mariana), Mayihlome vs Matshobane (Inyathi Youth Centre), Luveve vs Real Magwegwe (Chigumira), Bangane vs Emganwini Celtics (Choppies Nkulumane 11 ), Siyabangena vs OTA (Phekiwe).
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