By Nomfundo Mbatha
In a breathtaking display of dominance and strictness, Maru FC confirmed their status as regional giants with a commanding victory over Friendly City on Saturday afternoon. The match at Rhodes University’s Kings Field saw the Regional League champions put on a footballing masterclass that left fans thrilled and their opponents twirling.
From the opening whistle, it was clear that Maru came with one aim: to win and win big.
Their intensity was unmatched as they pressed high, passed sharply, and developed every inch of space on the pitch. Despite their resilience, Friendly City struggled to contain the wave after wave of attacks led by Maru’s dynamic midfield and relentless forward line.
Maru FC’s head coach, Siyabonga Dumisa, was happy about the team’s improvement and resilience. “Winning the regional means a lot to me and my team. It’s a big win for us.”
A sad day for Friendly City, as they were fighting for survival, they showed sparks of intent and pushed forward in desperation, but their efforts were destroyed when Maru scored two goals, even though one was suspected to be offside.
Vuyani Wali, Friendly City’s coach, said they played good football and hoped to hit Maru on the counter. “Maru FC is very smart, and we both got good chances on the game, unfortunately we did not go through, but it was a good game.”
As the season ends, with this loss, their chances of survival in the league appear increasingly slim. Friendly City is facing relegation.
“Next season we need to prep each and every player, making sure they are coming through and available for games,” he said.
