With the High-Performance League (HPL) well on its way, Young Bafana Soccer Academy (YB) faced well matched rivals Ubuntu FC at Chukker Road Sports Ground in Lansdowne this past Saturday (7 May).
The outings marked a defining moment for YB, as they fielded an under-11 team in the HPL for the first time.
The young team had a slow start to their game, trailing 1-4 at half-time. The suspenseful second half, however, saw YB come back with an impressive 7-6 win. Kungawo Maka scored a hat-trick, while Jody Solomons and Ndalo Jaca score a goal apiece to take it to six.
In the last minute of the game, Taio van Stade controlled an aerial ball and beat two Ubuntu FC defenders to score the winning goal.
The YB under-12 team also found the going tough, although they started the better of the two sides, creating the first goal-scoring opportunity. Ubuntu FC came back into the game midway through the first half, however the scoreline remained goalless at the break.
The second half was a cagey affair with both teams managing to keep each other from scoring. However, YB won a free-kick which resulted in the deadlock being broken. Iphendule Simoki aided the cross to Zachary Karolus, who headed the ball into the net to put YB ahead 1-0.
They continued to defend well until the final whistle with YB taking the 1-0 victory. Zaiden Bell was the stand-out player.
The YB under-14 charges put in a sterling performance in the 1-2 defeat.
The powerful and well drilled Ubuntu outfit were given a run for their money as the motivated YB boys matched them in all departments.
Ubuntu opened the scoring halfway through the first half, but YB fought back bravely and equalised through a well taken penalty by Thithiba Nocuze.
The match was evenly contested with YB extending their opponents in the latter stages. Ubuntu scored five minutes from the end to take the lead (2-1).
YB had a golden opportunity to equalise in the final moments, but failed to capitalise. They, however, ended the fierce contest with their heads held high and look forward to a strong season.
