AB BASSON
Kiaat and Zinnia won the TuksFootball res league at Absa Tuks Stadium on Monday 10 September.
The two Groenkloof residences beat Zimbabwe Society and Onderstepoort (OP) ladies respectively to be crowned the 2012 champions.
The first final of the night was between the ladies of Zinnia and OP. The two teams were deadlocked at half time, but the game sprang into life in the second half after a goal from last season’s top scorer, OP striker, Steph Friedman who pounced on a mistake from the Zinnia defence to open the scoring. Zinnia were rewarded with a penalty for a handball but the first attempt was easily saved by OP’s keeper. However, the referee ordered a retake because of an infringement from the defending team.
Zinnia’s Mamooka Makume made no mistake with the second attempt and leveled matters. That was the last goal of the match and penalties determined the 2012 winners. After a tense penalty shoot-out, Zinnia reigned supreme with three successful penalties to OP’s two. Zinnia captain Phinky Makololo expressed her delight at winning the final after the match: “I’ve been in res for four years. I’m over the moon. I love my team: we are one big, strong, happy family.”
The men’s final that saw Kiaat take on the Zimbabwe Society. Kiaat were looking to retain the trophy they won last year and went into the match as favourites. Captain Charles Gulwako opened the scoring. The midfielder collected the ball in Zimbabwe Society’s half, ran down the left flank leaving several defenders in his wake, cutting inside on the edge of the six yard area beating another and finishing coolly into the right-hand corner to score a brilliant individual goal. The goal set the stadium alight and gave Kiaat a well-deserved lead going into the break.
Kiaat started the second half much the same, as they controlled the midfield battle and created chance after chance, presenting Zimbabwe Society with very few. Kiaat finished off the game near the end with a brilliant header from a corner from Siya Nkosi to seal the victory and the cup for Kiaat for the second year in a row.
Kiaat captain, Man of the Match and Player of the Tournament Charles Gulwako was very happy with his team’s performance. “We had a good season and I’m very proud of the team. We didn’t try anything new in the final. We are good team, big up to our defence who only gave away two goals all season, [which were] penalties,” he said.
Photos: Kobus Barnard
