KIMBERLEY Real Madrid’s campaign in the ABC Motsepe League’s national play-offs got off to a disastrous start against Limpopo champions Magesi FC in their game played at the North West University’s Olen Park Stadium in Potchefstroom on Tuesday afternoon.
The Kimberley side were walloped 3-1 in regular time by their opponents. Magesi had the match by the scruff of the neck midway through the game scoring twice against no reply inside the first half.
Magesi’s midfielder Ellick Maphosa opened their account in the 21st minute with a goal from open play. His teammate Absalom Mokone scored Magesi’s second goal in the 34th minute from a corner kick and applied more pressure on the Diamond City side.
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The half time break did not do Real Madrid any good as Magesi took off from where they had left matters, consolidating their two goal lead with another goal against Kimberley Ipopeng’s finest.
The Kimberley side clawed their way back into the game with about 15 minutes to time. They scored a solitary, consolation goal ending matters 3-1 in this third and last game of the first day of the tournament.
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Tuesday’s result for Real Madrid was bad. However, they still stand a chance of gaining traction in the competition, and redeem themselves, in their second game at 9am on Thursday against the Eastern Cape’s Spear of the Nation FC.
Should they fail to reel in a win on Thursday that result will bring their campaign to a stop. And they will have to pack for home and another season in the ABC Motsepe League.
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A good performance against the Eastern Cape side will set them up for a likely position as Group A runners-up. In that case they go back in for a full go at the championship title and possible promotion to the National First Division.
In the post match interview the Magesi coach acknowledged that it was not all a piece of cake against Real Madrid. “It was a hard fought win,” he said. “They had chances, We had chances. We missed about three chances to take the game.”
Real Madrid coach Alton Waterboer in turn acknowledged that they had serious concentration lapses during the game which allowed Magesi to dominate especially in the first half.
The tournament final will be staged on Sunday at Olen Park.
