The past weekend, Saturday 9 January, saw Grahamstown’s top four clubs in action, when the second round of the South African Football Association (SAFA) SAB Regional League kicked off.
The past weekend, Saturday 9 January, saw Grahamstown’s top four clubs in action, when the second round of the South African Football Association (SAFA) SAB Regional League kicked off.
Eleven Attackers hosted United Eleven from Bathurst, with the home side losing 1-2. City Pirates hosted Cacadu United from Alexandria, with this match ending in a 1-1 draw.
The final match of the day was a derby game between Makana Rhini United (Maru) and Makana Pillars, who were promoted into the regional league at the end of the 2014/2015 season. With more experience playing in the regional league, Maru went on to win 2-1.
The derby game was a tough one for both teams as they were both striving for a win.
After heavy pressure, Maru took the lead in the 20th minute when Simamkele Vanda received a cross in the box and powered a high shot into the roof of the net.
In the early minutes of the second half, Pillars substitute, Bongani Klaas, tried his luck with a set-piece but on this occasion the effort went wide of the Maru goal.
Klass put Pillars back in the game after 60 minutes, as he kicked the ball into the back of the net through the keeper’s hands and made it 1-1.
However, in the 75th minute Libona Nondlwana pounced on a poor cross and was lucky enough to find the target to make it 2-1 for Maru.
Since their arrival in the SAB League, Makana Pillars haven’t achieved much as they only have one point the bag.
Pillars played three games with no wins, one draw and two losses.
Earlier in the day, it was Eleven Attachers who scored first against United Eleven through a penalty kick. This would be the last time Attackers found the back of the net, as United Eleven went on to score two goals of their own.
Attackers coach, Vicki Platyi, said the fitness level of the players let them down, adding that not much training was done over the festive season break. Looking forward, Platyi said they will take one game at a time and focus on a match strategy for each outing. Platyi added that they will also be introducing five, 16-year-old players to the first team, over the next few weeks.
The SAFA SAB Regional League comprises 832 clubs and over 20 000 registered players, making it the largest senior league administered by SAFA. Two regional winners (from each of the nine geo-political provinces) will be promoted annually to the SAFA ABC Motsepe League after a series of play-offs in their respective provinces.
