Amavarara triumph in first two games
Amavarara FC are through to the second round of the Nedbank Cup after winning their first two games of the season on Saturday, scoring five goals against their opponents.
The team beat Relatives FC from East London by 2-1, and Mata Milan FC from Idutywa by 31-1 at the Dumpy Adams Sports Complex in Komani.
Amavarara, a former Emalahleni team from Komani, are now based in Lady Grey, in the Joe Gqabi district, after having been purchased by attorney Akhona Pele.
The first round of the elimination games were hosted in Komani after the South African Football Association decided it was a convenient location for the three teams to face off.
In the first game, Relatives FC scored the opening goal, ending the first half at 1-0 and giving Amavarara a wake-up call in the second half.
This saw left-wing Yanga Smakade return with an equaliser in the first few minutes of the second half.
Amavarara dominated the rest of the second half and striker Athenkosi Tonisi slotted in the final goal a few minutes before the game ended at 2-1.
In their second game, Amavarara found it difficult to score as Mata Milan applied more tactics, but Tonisi managed to find the net, with his team ending the first half at 1-0.
Amavarara made two changes in the second half and midfielder Sihle Mtule followed with a second goal, taking the score to 2-0.
The third goal was scored by striker Kefuwe Siyoko. However, Mata Milan returned with their own goal, ending the game at 3-1.
Amavarara coach Vuyisani Mangaliso said the first game of the season was the most difficult.
“When you play your first game of the league and it is a cup game, it is always difficult because the other team wants to qualify as well.
“I am happy to win the first two official games of the season and celebrate the fact that we scored five goals in one day. But it is still early in the season and we have to work hard because the competition will get tough in the long run.”