FOLLOWING a long period of not winning any leagues or cups, Shining Stars were crowned as Motherwell Football Association (MOFA) Welcome Home Tournament Cup champions on Sunday, after they won 4–2 on penalties over FC Motherwell in the finals, which had ended in a 1–1 draw at Motherwell NU 11 Stadium.
FC Motherwell’s left wing, Marno Swartz, scored the opening goal in the early moments of the game. Stars did not look capable of equalising, as their opponents kept attacking.
Stars’ defender, Siyabulela Willy Ngqiyaza, worked very hard but Motherwell did not give him a chance to head home his attempts at goal from the set pieces, as they formed a very strong wall in defence.
It seemed as though Amabhayinari would take the honours, but Stars searched for an equaliser. Amabhayinari attacked in numbers but they were caught in a counter-attack by Stars, with Nkosekhaya Nombewu heading an equalising goal to make the score line 1–1 in the final minutes of the regulation time.
Then, the game was decided on penalties with Stars winning 4-2.
Earlier on, Young Romans lost 3-1 on penalties to FC Motherwell in their semi-final which ended in a 1-1 draw. In the other semi-final, following their goalless draw, Manchester United went down 4-2 on penalties to Shining Stars.
The new champions scooped a first prize of R3 000, a floating trophy and 25 gold medals while FC Motherwell settled for 25 silver medals and R1 000. Romans and United won R500 each.
