Mxolisi Kwayi’s double-brace helped Black Vultures dispense with Juventus 4-1 in the quarter-finals of the annual Rehana Moshoeshoe Memorial tournament eliminator.
Mxolisi Kwayi’s double-brace helped Black Vultures dispense with Juventus 4-1 in the quarter-finals of the annual Rehana Moshoeshoe Memorial tournament eliminator which was played at the Real Madrid grounds in Ipopeng on Sunday afternoon.
Vultures came into this game as underdogs to the more-favoured Juventus who still hold the unequalled record of having won the annual memorial title three times in the recent past, yet they didn’t play as underdogs; Vultures started out purposefully very early on in the game.
In what was to become a regular feature of the game, Kwayi netted twice in the first half to give Vultures a huge lead going into the break. The goals came from open play with Vultures banking on a solid build-up from the back. The Galeshewe team frequently played themselves into the Juventus goal area with menacing touches of the ball.
The slight windstorm that blew across the pitch in gusts did nothing to dampen the tempo of an otherwise lively and entertaining match.
Juventus, now playing with the wind gusts behind them, managed to sneak a goal past the Vultures defence soon after the half-time break.
They had pressed bodies into the Vultures’ goal area and from there blasted a point-blank shot hard into the roof of the net to make the score a more respectable 2-1.
But that was the only concession that Vultures allowed the three-time champions with the white-jerseyed team making impressive forays into the Juventus goal area. One such push forward saw Vultures rewarded with a penalty spot-kick from where Kwayi slotted home his third goal in the game to put his team 3-1. But he was not done. With mere minutes to go Kwayi latched on to a pass and lobbed the ball into the open Juventus poles for the team’s fourth goal.
The score sheet could have been far worse for Juventus had Vultures remained composed for the remainder of the match and taken calculated shots at the Juventus posts.
Vultures squandered about four more shots that they sent haywire past or over the Juventus posts saving the former champions from a major embarrassment.
Other teams that made it into the quarter-final stage along with Black Vultures include Zulu Sweepers who had a bye this weekend, as well as Naughty Boys, Diamond Boys, Batlhaping Legends, Saints FC, Young Pirates and Tigers.
Other results
Tigers 0 (8)-0 (7) Real Madrid (penalties)
Naughty Boys 3-1 Phutanang
Young Pirates 3-0 Colville United
Batlhaping 3-0 Force
Aztec 2-4 Saints