adminAllen Khumalo Sports Reporter
Laduma FC 3-2 Safeguard
LADUMA FC secured their passage into the semi-finals of the Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (BAFA) Townshend and Butcher tournament after beating Safeguard 3-2 at the Barbourfields Stadium outside grounds yesterday.
Two goals from Phikisani Moyo and Dominic Nyika enabled Laduma to overcome Safeguard, who scored through Sikhumbuzo Moyo and Sibangilizwe Mpofu.
Laduma FC almost conceded a goal nine seconds into the match when their goalkeeper failed to deal with a back pass and the ball went within inches of the upright.
Safeguard opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Sikhumbuzo Moyo converted from a spot kick after a Laduma defender had handled in the box. However, Laduma levelled matters seven minutes later through Phikisani Moyo to make up for a number of earlier missed chances.
Laduma then took the lead in the 35th minute through Nyika, who came face-to-face with the goalkeeper and scored with ease.
Safeguard came back from the breather highly charged and levelled matters four minutes into the second half through Mpofu. Laduma’s Moyo then sealed victory in the 75th minute.
“I am happy that we have qualified for the semi-finals, but I won’t say I am happy with the team’s performance today,” said Laduma coach Dominic Sibanda.
“This is not the kind of game we usually play. We missed a lot of chances in the first half and we got punished for that when we went a goal down. We have learnt from our mistakes and are going to work on them and would hopefully have resolved them when we play our next match.”
In other matches, Mpilo FC were booted out of the competition after losing 1-2 to United FC. Rebels thumped Crusaders 6-0, while Madamara beat Unity Village 1-0.
The semi-finals will be played on September 18 at the same venue.
Semi-final fixtures
Madamara FC vs Laduma FC
Rebels vs United FC. — @khumzallen
Online Reporter