Sea Birds win Heritage Cup
The first semi-final game of the Heritage Tournament kicked off on 30 September with a clash between the host, Sea Birds Football Club and Thembu Royal.
Sea Birds had a flying start as they attacked from the onset. Two early first-half goals from Siyavuya Mjadu, only 17 years old, helped Sea Birds go into the second half, leading 2-0. Sea Birds continued their attack, but could not add to their goals.
In the last 15 minutes things came alive as Thembu Royal fought their way back into the match, netting their first goal in the 76th minute.
That was followed by a bicycle kick, resulting in a goal, forcing the game into penalties. Sea Birds won the penalty shootout 4-1, with their goalkeeper denying two penalties, taking his team through to the finals.
The other semi-final match was one-way traffic as Peacemakers took on Fast Eleven from George. The Mossel Bay outfit, Peacemakers, could have easily won their match by a 5-0 score, however, they could convert many of their chances and ended up only winning their match 2-0, enough to take them to the finals against the hosts.
Finals
The sidelines were packed to capacity with fans excited to witness the Mossel Bay derby and rivalry between the two regional league teams.
Peacemakers got their breakthrough from a beautiful free kick, hit by Nqombi, which resulted in a goal.
Peacemakers continued their push for more goals, but the hosts’ defence was firm
and unbreakable going into half time. In the second half, with Peacemakers leading 1-0, the hosts had to lift their socks and demonstrate a hunger to return to the game, but the opposition was steadfast in their defence as they would not allow an early equaliser to balance the tempo of the game.
The hosts eventually managed to crack the defence of Peacemakers in the 85th minute through a mistake committed by their goalkeeper, Mluleki Mkwela, when he tried clearing the ball but a deflection from his defender directed the ball into the head of a Sea Birds player, netting the ball, which forced the game into penalty shootouts.
Sea Birds won the penalty shootout 4-2, lifting the Inaugural Heritage Tournament Cup.
Aim
Lucky Nonyati, co-coach and team manager of Sea Birds, said: “We appeal to the business fraternity in Mossel Bay to help as we wish to continue hosting such occasions in the interest of social and moral regeneration.
“Through sport we can decrease social ills. We pulled off a tournament of this magnitude without any partnership or fundamental sponsorship. How much more impact could we make if we could have a partner for this event.
“The tournament will continue on an annual basis. Support would be appreciated greatly.
“We extend our appreciation to all the teams who joined and shared the vision,” said Nonyati.
Prizes
1st place – R10 000 and 30 gold medals 2nd place – R5 000 and 30 silver medals 3rd place – R2 500
4th place – R1 500
5th-8th place – R800 each.
All teams that ascended through to the last eight knockout stages received their prizes accordingly and the tournament committee is in the process of compiling its report of the activities of the competition.