Wongalethu Maquthu 

The battle was intense yesterday in the last 10 knockout stage of the DUT Res & Inter-Campus Indoor Soccer Champions League as the teams battled to secure a spot in the top 5.

The first match of the day which saw Renaissance 1 advancing to the next round as they beat Royal Shadows 1 in penalties (3-1) after a goalless draw.  Samkelo Ntanzi, Renaissance 1 coach, said in these kinds of matches the most important thing is winning and it does not matter how you do it.

After scoring the first goal, Pearl Star 1 was defeated 2-1 by Hlelo Properties 1 after Pearl Star 1 committed a foul giving Hlelo a penalty to score the second goal.  Sphesihle Mdletshe, Pearl Star coach, said the game was fine and challenging.

“Unfortunately, things didn’t go our way but that’s part of the game,” she said.

Sabelo Ngubane, Hlelo coach, said this game was the toughest of all the games they played but that they are looking forward to the next round.

Nhlanhla Mbili, Persada 1 coach, was very proud of his boys as they beat Davenport 1 by a hard earned 4-2.

“Just like the previous game, they guys were relaxed after they were in the lead and that’s why the team conceded,” Mbili said.

Penting Property 2 defeated Sterling House 2 (3-2) in the fourth game of the last 10 knockout stage.  Zama Gcumisa, who scored the first goal for Penting, said she is very happy that they are advancing to the last five.

“The boys worked very hard and I’m very happy because this was my first goal,” said Gcumisa.

The final game in the last 10 saw DUT Staff defeat Carlo Court 3-0 in a very intense game.

Zethembele “Zakes” Skhakhane, Res Life Sports Coordinator, said he is very happy with tournament so far.

“I would like to thank the people who helped me organise for every game and make sure COVID-19 rules are adhered to and it would be remiss of me not to mention them. Senzo Nzimande, Dumisani Sibaya, Naledi Masakala, Siliziwe Jama, Zinhle Bhengu, Snethemba Shozi and Nokuthula Magubane,” Zakes said in gratitude.

These are the top 5 fixtures:

A – Renaissance

B – Penting Property 2

C – Hlelo Properties 1

D – Persada 1

E – DUT Staff