Sundowns crowned Metropolitan Premier Cup Champs

Sundowns crowned Metropolitan Premier Cup Champs

A second-half penalty from Doctor Mamphuru proved decisive as Mamelodi Sundowns trumped Moroka Swallows 1-0 in the final of the Metropolitan Premier Cup at Erica Park in Belhar on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Sundowns had booked their place in the final with a composed 2-0 win over Bidvest Wits, through goals from Jabulani Shongwe and Lucky Nguzane. Swallows arrived at the ground to find that they were already in the final - by default - after German visitors Arminia Bielefeld had to withdraw in order to return home later in the day.

The Brazilians’ triumph put the cherry on top of another highly successful edition of South Africa’s leading Under-19 football tournament. The 64 matches produced an average of over 3 goals per game and showed the thousands of fans that attended over the eight days that there is an abundance of rich talent among the youth of our land.

Metropolitan Group Brand manager, Christabell Kota said, “The high standard of the competition and the sporting spirit in which it was played is a fitting way to celebrate 21 years of the Premier Cup. Metropolitan is proud of its association and contribution as chief sponsor to this important event on the football calendar. It was heart-warming to feel the community atmosphere that make this such a unique spectacle, and it ties in perfectly with Metropolitan’s commitment to youth football development and community upliftment.”

The final was pretty much of a cagey, tactical affair, with Swallows playing a five-man defence and at times keeping ten players behind the ball in an effort to subdue the probing advances of the team in yellow. The ploy worked but limited the scope for attacking football, and very few clear-cut chances were created. It was however, a game for the connoisseur, with intriguing tactical battles taking place all over the pitch.

The match turned in the 69th minute when Birds defender Sipho Twala, who had stuck tight to Lucky Nguzane from the opening whistle, allowed the powerful striker to break free and brought him down in the box as he bore down on goal. Doctor Mamphuru had no trouble converting the resultant penalty and Sundowns had little trouble coasting out the remaining time before breaking into unbridled celebration at the final whistle.

When asked if they were worried before the game that Swallows would have an advantage by not playing earlier, winning captain Siyanda Xulu said, “We were so excited at getting into the final that no-one was tired. We are more competitive than Swallows, they played defensively so we conserved our energy in the first half and we got the break in the second half,” before rushing off to join his team-mates in parading the trophy in front of a sizeable contingent of noisy ‘Downs supporters.

Sundowns’ Head of Youth Development, Zipho Dlangalala attributed sound preparation to his side’s success: “We played a ‘shadow’ tournament at home last week, replicating the demands we would be facing here, so we played matches every day and on some we played twice, aiming to peak in the latter stages of the tournament. The boys are well conditioned and I am very happy at the way they have grown in discipline and tactical awareness.”

A number of awards were made at a prize-giving ceremony that followed the presentation of the trophy.

Player of the Tournament: Brandon Barkhuizen (Bidvest Wits)
Top Goal Scorer: Lyle Peters (Bidvest Wits), Sello Kakudi (Hanover Park), Lucky Nguzane (7 goals each)
Team of the Tournament Bidvest Wits
Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Sage Lottering (Moroka Swallows)
Manager of the Tournament: Msinginathi Livingstone (City Lovers)
Most Promising Team of the Tournament: City Lovers

The Metropolitan Premier Cup Dream Team

Sage Lottering (Moroka Swallows)
Brandon Barkhuizen (Bidvest Wits)
Siyanda Xulu (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Eugene Goqo (Bidvest Wits)
Thabo Mselwa (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Isma-eel Stanford (Ajax Cape Town)
Serame Matalingoene (Moroka Swallows)
Lerato Senyane (Platinum Stars)
Mpho Seloma (Transnet School of Excellence)
Sello Kakudi (Hanover Park)
Ceeman Peterson (Moroka Swallows)

Subs:
Enrich Lakay (Western Province United)
Wade Jooste (Bay United)
Tohier Martin (Western Province United)
Riederwaan Paulse (Baltic Rangers)
Timo Achenbach (Arminia Bielefeld)
Felix Buba (Arminia Bielefeld)
Yannick Grutzner (Arminia Bielefeld)
Sanele Ngigi (City Lovers)
Ashraf Bester (Avendale Athletico)

Day 4

2009 Metropolitan Premier Cup, Erica Park, Belhar

A new champion will be crowned at this year’s Metropolitan Premier Cup after defending champions Ajax Cape Town were summarily eliminated by Mamelodi Sundowns in the tournament’s first knockout round at Erica Park in Belhar on Saturday.

On a day of high drama, two local club sides, Hanover Park and City Lovers joined bay United, Moroka Swallows, Arminia Bielefeld, Engen Santos and BidVest Wits in the quarter-finals.

Ajax were out-muscled by a physically superior Sundowns outfit, which enjoyed the benefit of a small but vociferous group of hardcore supporters that rivalled the much larger number of Urban Warriors fans.

‘Downs took the lead just before the midway point of the first half through Lucky Nguzane, whose brilliantly flighted free kick curled into the top corner of the net, leaving Stefan Van Neel helpless in the Ajax goal.

Despite a sterling effort from Ajax, it was Sundowns who looked more likely to add to the scoreline as, in very un-Ajax like fashion, their defence was caught square time and again, leaving Sundowns in threatening positions. Yet, it took until the final minute for the Chloorkop to do so, when substitute Mahkase Makudubela scored after a free kick was headed back across goal. Ajax’ Isma-eel Stanford pulled a goal back in stoppage time but it was no more than a consolation for the pre-tournament favourites.

In the remaining Round-of-16 matches, Wade Jooste scored an extra-time winner as Bay United took the honours in a 3-2 thriller against Salt River Blackpool. The side from Port Elizabeth led twice in regulation time, through Mandiwakwe July and Vuyolwethu Dingani, but strikes from Ziyaad Cooper and Cwenga Jezila kept Blackpool in the hunt.

City Lovers maintained their 100 percent success rate so far, coming from a goal down to beat Westridge F&NC, 2-1. Sanele Ngigi and Peter Mhlawuli netted the goals for Lovers, after Brandon Davids had given Westridge the lead.

The African safari of English guest team, South Nottingham College was brought to an end by Moroka Swallows, whose form is beginning to look ominous to potential future opponents. A brace by Nhlakanipho Ngobese gave the Dube Fledglings a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Hanover Park had striker Sello Kakudi to thank for their place in the last eight. The prolific striker bagged a hat-trick – the third coming in extra-time – to see his team through 3-2 in a classic cup-tie against Maties FC. Ivor Daniels and Alvin Manuel replied for the Stellenbosch club.

Goals from Bunyamin Atasaya and Marwin Studtrucker ensured that there would be one overseas representative in the quarter-final line-up, though. Arminia Bielefeld kept the German flag flying following a 2-1 triumph over Milano United, for whom Shamiel Philander’s effort proved fruitless in the final reckoning.

Engen Santos managed to overcome some patchy form to squeeze past one of the fancied sides in the competition, the Old Mutual Academy. While Mutual looked the more dangerous of the two for much of the match, it was an excellent solo effort from Santos striker Darron Omaticus that landed the killer blow a couple of minutes from time.

Finally, in the last game of the night, Kwazulu-Natal’s only presence at the Metropolitan Premier Cup, Bright Stars found Bivest Wits in an uncharitable mood, going down 2-1, as Lyle Peters struck twice for the Clever Boys to render Xolani Mtshali’s equaliser meaningless.

Sunday’s quarter-finals will proceed as follows:
10h30 - Arminia Bielefeld v Engen Santos; Bay United v Moroka Swallows
12h30 – Bidvest Wits v Hanover Park; City Lovers v Mamelodi Sundowns

Earlier in the day the Plate (third-placed teams from group phase) quarter-finals will be played at 09h00 as follows:
WP United v Baltic Rangers
Belhar Spurs v Platinum Stars
Southdowns FC v Ikapa Sporting
Avondale Athletico v Bloemfontein Celtic

2009 Metropolitan Premier Cup, Day 2

The goals flowed at Erica Park in Belhar on a bumper second day of the 2009 Metropolitan Premier Cup football tournament.

On a day when two teams had to withdraw from the event due to circumstances beyond their control, defending champions Ajax Cape Town showed it will take an exceptional effort to wrest the title from them with a 5-0 hammering of Junction Rovers in their opening Group A fixture. Second half goals by Shaheed Mobara, Isma-eel Stanford and a hat-trick from the outstanding Kaylem Mentoor eased the nerves somewhat after the teams went into the break goalless. In the other Group A match, Mandilakhe July gave Bay United the lead before C. Carnerio levelled to earn Western Province United a 1-1 draw.

Group B action saw local hosts Bayhill United fall 1-0 to City Lovers, Sanele Ngigi netting the all-important winner, while in the 20h00 game, Belhar Spurs, called in as a last-minute replacement for Nigerian club Magate FC pushed English visitors, South Nottingham College all the way but ended up losing 3-2 in a thrill-a-minute clash.

In Group C Moroka Swallows came back from behind to beat Manchristers FC, 3-1. Lawrence Mazwayi put Manchristers in front but then Swallows turned up the heat and replied with strikes from Thobelani Maneli, Mfanafuthi Ndowa and Nhlakanipho Ngobese to seal victory. Westridge F&NC’s Anthony Enyange scored the only goal of a tight 1-0 win over Southdowns FC to get their tournament off to a good start.

Mamelodi Sundowns struggled with the windy conditions early on in their Group D opening game but regrouped to end up with a comfortable 2-0 result over Salt River Blackpool, courtesy of goals from Boris Fcacadjie and Mkhlawazi Frans, while Avendale Athletico triumphed by the same score over Ajax Aldos, through a brace by Sergio Adams.

Bloemfontein Celtic ended last year’s Metropolitan Premier Cup on the wrong end of a 6-0 thrashing by Ajax Cape Town in the final, and began this year’s campaign in the same fashion, going down by the same scoreline to Hanover Park. Akhona Duba, Masonele Tambo and Sello Kakudi each netted twice to the delight of the local spectators. In Group E’s other match-up, Mdiyami Mdumiso’s solitary goal was enough to give Bright Stars the edge over Edgemead GW PPV.

The juniors of Cape Town PSL side Engen Santos got off to a winning start in Group F. One Zuroog Daniels goal was enough to see off Greenwood Athletic, while their German equivalents from Bundesliga outfit Arminia Bielefeld battled to a goalless draw against Ikapa Sporting.

In what many regarded as the match of the day, Old Mutual Academy made light of an early deficit to beat Platinum Stars 2-1. Lerato Senyane put the young Tycoons ahead, but Bafana Gazi and Moegsien Johnson answered emphatically for Old Mutual. The Transnet School of Excellence and Milano United played out a 1-1 draw in what is proving to be a very tight Group G. Tshowana Makhanyana scored first for School Of Excellence before Shamiel Philander rescued a point for Milano.

Over in Group B, Bidvest Wits received a rude awakening, going down 1-0 to Maties FC in an ‘intervarsity’ clash, with Trudor Adams grabbing the winner. Rygersdal meanwhile, having been thrust into the fray at short notice to replace Sibaya Bootlaces Academy, were no match for Baltic Rangers. Goals by Farouk Paulse, Tokelo Rantie, Rudi Samaai and Jodi Adams put Rangers firmly in control before Carlo Davids restored some pride with a late consolation goal.

Friday will feature the official opening ceremony as well as eight more mouth-watering matches for the fans.

Bayhill Tournament

The 2009 Metropolitan Premier Cup kicked off at Erica Park, Belhar on Wednesday afternoon with the first round of matches in this, the 21st edition of the illustrious event.

The tournament, a landmark on the Western Cape football calendar, has been a breeding ground for some of the country’s top players, including Benni McCarthy, David Kannemeyer and Bradley August, Aaron Moekwena, Nashief Morris, and, judging by what was seen on the opening day, one or two more can be expected to be discovered by the time the curtain comes down next Monday.

Hanover Park got their campaign under way in the best possible fashion with a 3-0 win over Edgemead GW PPV, thanks to goals from Sello Kakudi, Akhona Duba and Reedah September, while goals by Tristan pillay and Farouk Paulse helped Baltic Rangers to overcome Maties FC, 2-1, for whom Sergio Arends found the net. Cwenga Jezila gave Salt River Blackpool the lead over Avendale Athletico but Justin Van Den Berg equalised for a final result of 1-1. Manchristers FC and Westridge F&NC played out a tight goalless draw.

In the 17h15 kick-off, Western Province United proved too strong for Junction Rovers, running out 4-0 winners, courtesy of goals from Clayton Matthews, Nelson Mbonjwa, Ashwin Augustus and Themralethu Royti. Then, at 18h30 Ikapa Sporting and Greenwood athletic played out a riveting 0-0 draw that was full of skill and endeavour, if short on goals.

The final match of the evening, at 20h00,between Old Mutual Academy and Milano United finished all square at one apiece. Milano skipper Shamiel Philander gave his side the lead with a rasping drive 10 minutes into the second half after his free kick rebounded off the defensive wall, but they fell foul of one of the basic rules of football, losing concentration after scoring and conceding within a minute of taking the lead. Goalkeeper Zane Gasnola came flying off his line only to see a seemingly innocuous 45 metre free kick from Old Mutual’s Seandre October sail over his head and into the net.

Thursday’s fare sees a glut of matches, which unfold as follows:
12h30
Mamelodi Sundowns v Salt River Blackpool (A)
Moroka Swallows v Manchristers FC (B)
Southdowns FC v Westridge F&N(C) (C)
Bay United v WP United (D)

13h45
Bloemfontein Celtic v Hanover Park (A)
Ajax Aldos v Avendale Athletico (B)
Bayhill United v City Lovers (C)

15h00
Santos v Greenwood Athletic (A)
Bright Stars v Edgemead GW PPV (B)
Platinum Stars v Old Mutual Academy (C)

16h15
Bidvest Wits v Maties FC (A)
School of Excellence v Milano United (B)
Sibaya Bootlaces Academy v Baltic Rangers (C)

17h30
Armenia Bielefeld (Germany) v Ikapa Sporting (A)

18h45
Ajax Cape Town v Junction Rovers (A)

20h00
Magate FC v South Nottingham College (England) (A)


Nigerians Withdraw From Premier Cup

Nigerian team, Magate FC, will not take part in the 2009 Metropolitan Premier Cup after experiencing logistical challenges pertaining to their visa applications for entry into South Africa.

In addition, Sibaya Bootlaces Academy were also forced to withdraw when their bus broke down en route from KwaZulu-Natal to Cape Town and were unable to continue the trip, deciding instead to return home.

Belhar Spurs and Rygersdal FC have replaced Magate and Sibaya Bootlaces respectively.

Tournament director PJ Williams explained the process of selecting the substitute teams: “After the round-robin phase of qualifying, the teams that finish third in their groups are placed on standby for the very reason we face right now. There is a pecking order based on how the various teams finished. Some of the teams were not ready to step in immediately so we moved on down the list to the highest ranked teams available. That is how Belhar Spurs and Rygersdal came to be included in this year’s Metropolitan Premier Cup,” he said.

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