MK Academy are Nedbank Cup regional champions
Kota goal seals victory for Whittlesea-based side
Agoal 15 minutes before the end of a soccer match qualified the now Nedbank Cup regional champions, MK Academy, to compete in the provincial leg of the tournament in Aliwal North this weekend.
Captain of the Whittleseabased team, Lwando Kota, decided the team’s fate with his great goal in the second half, taking the score to 1 -0 against rivals Lucky Stars.
Coach Bulelani Cole Sindelo said the team had a good preseason and enough time to prepare.
“We were playing against the toughest opponents in the game, but you could tell just by their dedication and commitment that my players were hungry for success.
“Their dedication paid off on Sunday and I am extremely proud.
“We managed to strategise and win and are looking forward to the provincial game this weekend,” he said.
Sindelo said the team only conceded a goal in one match throughout the stages, mentioning Kota as the top goal scorer in all the matches.
Left winger Nangamso Sipholi advanced the team to the regionals during the elimination stages in a match with Komani Stars at the Dumpy Adams Sports Complex last Friday.
The players again did not want to concede defeat and scored a goal a few minutes before the final whistle was blown.
Melikhaya Mdingi, Chris Hani head of competitions, said with Covid-19 restrictions eased, teams could now bring their A-games.
“Our teams always produce the best,” Mdingi said.
“We had a team from this region, Amavarara, that took us to the Nedbank Cup last 32.
“This tells us that we mean business.
“We also have a team that was recently promoted, Seven Stars, to join the ABC Motsepe League.
“Again, this tells us we have a lot of talent here and now other teams are picking up.”