Orlando Seerowers teen Magesi

Deur 'n seerowervolgeling
Op 'n sonnige Saterdag in die hartjie van Soweto, het die Orlando Seerowers die nuwelinge, Magesi FC, in die Carling Knockout-kompetisie ontvang. Die atmosfeer was elektries toe die tuisskare al vroeg by die Orlando-stadion opdaag om hul span aan te moedig.
Die Seerowers was die vinnigste uit die wegspringblokke en het die tempo van die spel van die begin af dikteer. Hul aanvallers, die deur die kreatiewe Thembinkosi Lorch aangevuur is, het die Magesi-verdediging voortdurend onder druk geplaas.
In die 32ste minuut het die Seerowers hul eerste deurbraak gemaak. 'n Soet kruisbal van Deon Hotto het Delano Abrahams in die doelgebied gevind, wat sy kop geplaas het om die bal verby die weerlose Magesi-doelwagter te stuur. Die stadion het ontplof in gejuig toe die Seerowers 'n verdiende voorsprong geneem het.
Slegs sewe minute later het Magesi egter 'n onverwagte gelykmaker aangeteken. 'n Loskop van die Seerowers-verdediging het Thabiso Sesane, die Magesi se kaptein, toegelaat om die bal in sy eie net te kop. Die gelykmaker het die spel oopgemaak en albei spanne het na die oorwinning begin soek.
Just before half-time, struck the Buccaneers again. A clever one-two between Lorch and Hotto left Edmore Chirambadare with only the goalkeeper to beat. The Zimbabwean forward made no mistake, firing the ball into the bottom corner to give the Buccaneers a 2-1 lead at the break.
In the second half, Magesi came out with renewed determination, but the Buccaneers' defence, marshalled by the experienced Happy Jele, held firm. The visitors did have a few chances to equalize, but they could not find the finishing touch.
As the game entered the final stages, the Buccaneers began to control the tempo of the game, keeping possession and frustrating the Magesi players. The match ended 2-1 in favour of the Buccaneers, who secured their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
The victory was a sweet one for the Buccaneers, who have had a difficult start to the season. It was also a great day for the young Magesi side, who showed that they can compete with the best teams in the country. The Carling Knockout competition continues next weekend, with the quarter-finals taking place on Saturday and Sunday.