By Chris Totobela The 2024 New Year’s Cup final lived up to expectations as both Motherwell Envoys and PK United dished out excellent football in front of a packed JD Dlepu stadium crowd. Both sides treated the fans to scintillating football in the first half but were both guilty of not converting their chances and went into the halftime break goalless. The second half was even more exciting, with the two sets of fans on the edges of their seats. PK United failed to use their spot kick, which came back to haunt them as they conceded a late goal.…
Author: Rod Amner
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By Chris Totobela The much anticipated second New Year’s Cup semi-final between Makhanda’s Makana Tigers and Motherwell Envoys in front of a decent JD Dlepu stadium crowd sadly descended into chaos on 30 December. Both teams started the game at a blistering pace, taking the game to each other. They both displayed good attacking football until the referee lost his grip on the game by allowing bad tackles to fly all over the field. The battle in the midfield intensified, and both sets of players were aggressive, and some bad tackles went unpunished. Both teams went to the halftime break…
By Chris Totobela Matchday 6 of the 2024 NYC thrilled the fans as they witnessed good football displayed in the tournament’s first semi-final. Another team that has earned the tournament favourites tag, PK United from Peddie, locked horns with Somerset East-based Seven Stars in a thrill-a-minute game. Both teams started the game like a house on fire. Both teams created good scoring chances but failed to convert them. PK United took the lead with only less than ten minutes left in the first half when their right back rose unchallenged and steered home a very powerful header that gave the…
By Chris Totobela New Year’s Cup action continued on day 5, with the last two quarter-final matches taking place at JD Dlepu stadium. First up was PK United against Glenmore United. PK United netted their first goal in the first 10 minutes of the game, and they dominated in all departments. Seeing them going to the halftime break with a five-goal advantage was unsurprising. Glenmore United pulled one back in the second half, but PK United responded with two quick goals, winning the game by seven goals to one. In the main game of the day, Makhanda’s only hope, Makana…
By Chris Totobela Matchday 4 of the 2024 NYC did not bring any joy for the local football lovers as two Makhanda teams were knocked out of the competition. In the first game of the day, City pirates, who carried the hopes of Makhandans coming into this game, especially after Maru’s sudden departure, came up against Somerset East-based Seven Stars. Unfortunately, the home side fell short as they were tossed aside by two unanswered goals. In the second game, New Seekers had a huge task ahead of them as they faced red-hot Gqeberha-based Motherwell Envoys in a one-sided game, and…
By Chris Totobela The 2024 NYC resumed on Boxing Day after the Christmas Day break. Makana Tigers were awarded a walkover as Eleven Attackers Mimosa did not pitch up for the game. In an exhibition game, Peddie Legends beat Makhanda Legends by a single goal. In the much-anticipated game of the day, tournament favourites Maru FC came up against Peddie-based PK United. Both teams showed their intentions from the first whistle, with Maru dominating the midfield in early exchanges. The home side took the lead from a set piece as Lindokuhle Mdoko rose unchallenged to head home a Songelwa corner…
By Chris Totobela Day two of the 9th edition of NYC on Christmas Eve featured one game only as local side Jacaranda Aces locked horns with Bhudaza FC from eQonce (King William’s Town). The kick-off was delayed for an hour as the game started at 4 pm instead of the scheduled 3 pm kick-off. The visitors, who played confidently, showed their clear intentions from the first whistle. In most instances, the home side struggled to put their feet on the ball and were caught wanting. It was not a surprise when Bhudaza FC scored two quick goals. Aces fumbled their…
By Chris Totobela The much anticipated 9th edition of the New Year’s Cup kicked off at JD Dlepu stadium on Monday. It was a very low-key affair that fell way short of what the people expected. The day kicked off in disappointment for the local women’s side, African Connection WFC, as their opponents did not pitch up. Makhanda Legends beat Sada Legends by three goals to one. In the main game and first of the 2024 edition, Gqeberha-based Motherwell envoys eased past local youthful side Joza Stars by two unanswered goals in a one-sided match. The Gqeberha-based outfit seemed too…
By Chris Totobela The home of local football, JD Dlepu Stadium, which recently hosted a successful Makana music festival, will now host the biggest sporting event in the local sports calendar. This year’s New Year’s Cup, the event’s ninth edition, kicks off on Monday the 23rd and will feature two curtain-raiser games. The programme will start with a draw at 10 am, followed by an opening ceremony at 11 am. The top local women’s football, which boasts seven regional titles, African Connection, will get a chance to test their rebuilt youthful side against a Sada women’s side at midday. Makhanda…
By Chris Totobela The loud screams of a passerby woke up residents of Vellem Street in Joza on the weekend. When the neighbours ran out, they were greeted by huge flames coming out of a backyard flat. Neighbours rushed to the scene with buckets of their reserved water and struggled to put out the fire. The taps were dry, and one neighbour offered her Jojo tank water, which was all used over the next 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze. Luckily, there was no one inside the flat. Hi-Tec officers arrived at the scene and assisted by calling the fire…