A league game was played at the Dobsonville stadium ground on September 10, 2023. OBABA grabbed a draw by a hair’s width, resulting in a 2-2 stalemate against zondi masters.
It was a day to remember as we refused to back down even after falling behind twice. Our captain Sthibo stepped up and equalized with a penalty, but the Zondi side arrogantly took back the lead immediately after the kick-off.
During the closing minutes of the game, our team was saved by none other than Smindlo. Thanks to his quick thinking and agile movements, he was able to score a crucial goal from Barnes’ expertly placed cross. It was clear to see that Mandla is a highly skilled and composed finisher, as he effortlessly headed the ball into the back of the net. His performance on the field was truly a sight to behold.
We unfortunately conceded both goals as a result of some unfortunate defensive errors. The first goal was let through when our defensive midfielder received the ball from our goalkeeper but unfortunately lost possession to the onrushing striker. The second goal was a result of a lapse in concentration right after we had scored our equalizer.
“It was an intense game, and although we had possession of the ball for most of it, we could not capitalize on our opportunities to score,” Coach Mdu explained.
“Unfortunately, our set pieces did not pay off, and our offense could have been stronger. Our striker faced some challenges, resulting in turnovers. However, we have already begun working on enhancing our attacking strategies and are confident that we will come back stronger,” he added.
The coach’s well-planned substitutions proved to be a game-changer, and Luda’s remarkable contribution as a temporary Technical Team member added further value.
The team relied on their defensive players to score goals in the absence of our attacking players, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
The team’s ranking has shown consistent improvement this season, achieving sixth place for the third time. Despite being stuck in eighth place for five weeks and only briefly occupying seventh place before reaching sixth, the team remains determined. With a dozen matches still to play, there is still a chance for them to snatch first place, even with the 16-point gap separating them from the top team.
We have three more matches to play in our retaliation, and we’re ready to step up our game. Although our first match didn’t go as well as we hoped, it wasn’t a total disaster either. Our team is determined to improve our performance in the upcoming games.
We look forward to our upcoming match against the Diepkloof Giants in Diepkloof and extend an enthusiastic invitation to all of our supporters to attend in great numbers.
Obaba Babo
