Eight second-half goals revived what had the potential to be a very dull game between two local sides on Saturday afternoon at the Rhodes University King Field.
Eight second-half goals revived what had the potential to be a very dull game between two local sides on Saturday afternoon at the Rhodes University King Field.
The two local sides, City Pirates and Grocott's Mail Eleven Attackers, were playing in their South African Football Association Cacadu SAB league fixture, where City Pirates beat Eleven Attackers by 6 goals to 4.
Two quick first-half goals from both sides were quickly overshadowed by a dull display, when both sides seemed to be defending too deep.
City Pirates' back four, led by Mfundisi Sivuyile and Nkululeko George, gave Eleven Attackers strikers little room to breathe. The situation wasn't helped by a rather relaxed midfield.
City Pirates' attacking options were boosted by the introduction of the speedy left winger, Thabo Rafa, in the second half. That game was never the same, as eight quick goals were scored between the two sides.
Despite persistence of reliable players such as Bongani Lombo and Siyabonga Dumiso, Attackers just couldn't stop the fast running Rafa, who went on to score two spectacular goals, leaving the Attackers defenders standing still as he forged on.
Rafa's first goal was an awkward header that left supporters and both sets of players in awe, while the second was a long-range shot. It gave the Attackers goalkeeper no chance, as he fetched yet another ball from the back of the net.
The game seemed to slow down a bit with a touch of rain, and even had a few players from both sides booked by the referee for late tackles on a pitch that was slippery and almost unplayable.
Pirates' goals of the day were scored by Thabo Rafa (brace), Qakamfana Mziwekhaya (brace), Chevandre September and Unathi Mantolo. The goals for Attackers were scored by Kwanele Mrala, Bongani Lombo and Siyabonga Dumiso.
