Unbeaten futsal team remains at the top

ETHEKWINI City have rewritten the South African futsal history books.

Last weekend the team won the South African Indoor Football Association (Saifa) Knock-out Cup by beating Young Natalians in a hotly contested final at the UKZN Westville Sports Centre.

It confirmed a landmark league and cup double for Chris Naidoo’s team, pictured above, who went the entire campaign unbeaten, winning a staggering 20 games in a row.

In an action-packed final, City overcame Natalians by 5-4 thanks to a dominating start that left Gregory Nair’s team shell-shocked.

City raced into a two-goal lead thanks to a brace from Radlin Sansouccie, who finished well after his team had won the ball deep in their own half.

On both occasions he beat the last defender to score past the Natalians’ goalkeeper with neat finishes.

Naidoo rallied his team during the break, demanding more despite their impressive start.

He was rewarded with a third goal as Phumlani Dube struck after receiving a long pass from his goalkeeper.

Duane Gordon netted the fourth after a fabulous solo run, which saw him beat two opposition players before unleashing a thunderous strike.

A tongue-lashing from Nair during a tactical time-out injected some life into his charges. They returned with renewed energy and managed to catch City off guard.

The defending champions netted three quick goals as they fought back with the clock against them.

It was all too little too late, though, as Gordon pounced again to score ethekwini’s fifth goal and take his personal tournament tally to seven.

“I am very proud of this team,” Naidoo said. “They fought ferociously and played with heart and desire.

“It was good to see them execute the game plan. We always look to play quick, enterprising futsal. We want to be easy on the eye and score clean goals.”

Wiseman Cele was named Player of the Tournament, Gordon picked up the Player of the Year gong, and Naidoo walked away with the Coach of the Season award.