Disappointed Madibaz fail in promotion bid

NMMU Madibaz will have to do it all over again next season.

The Safa-NMB SAB League champions failed in their bid to win promotion to the ABC Motsepe League in the weekend’s playoffs in Alice.

In their opening match on Friday, the students took a positive step in their quest for promotion when they beat AC Milan 3-2 in a very competitive match.

Madibaz led 1-0 at half time with a goal by Bandile Skosana.

Midway in the second half, Milan drew level with a well-taken free kick.

The students went ahead again when Farouk Abrahams latched on to a rebound from a free kick.

A debatable penalty saw Milan draw level for the second time.

Worse was to follow when a goal was disallowed for an alleged foul on the Milan goalkeeper.

With time running out, it was anybody’s game until Abrahams gave the Madibaz maximum points.

In their second match, on Saturday morning, Pondo Chiefs took the initiative from the start and deserved a 1-0 lead early in the game.

The Madibaz drew level on the stroke of half time when goalkeeper Xolani Myataza’s long clearance caught the Chiefs defence napping and Sachin Rautenbach capitalised to score.

Early in the second half, there was pandemonium in the stands and on both benches when the referee awarded Madibaz a free kick.

While the students were preparing for the kick, Chiefs were awarded the kick and scored with the Madibaz out of position.

After much protestation the referee consulted with the assistants and disallowed the goal.

Five minutes from the final whistle, the Madibaz conceded a penalty to go down 2-1.

The emotional fatigue in the match against Chiefs took its toll in their final match against Birmingham City in the afternoon.

Despite creating several chances Madibaz failed to find the net and lost 2-1.