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.