Posted in News on Dec 14, 2003.
Back to Acer Cyber Branch. The ACB Swaziland based crew failed to arrive as scheduled on Saturday due to unforeseen circumstances. The rest of the Acer Cyber Branch members who were at FNB, met after the game as planned.
We all proceeded to Thami’s place in Naturena for the Chiefs/Pirates after-party. Thami is one of Bossruu’s and Marangrang’s friend and a Sundowns supporter, but he had to celebrate Chiefs’ victory with the rest of the Cybernatics.
We had a good time, listening to good sound, meat and drinks was our theme. Thanks to all those who were part of the celebrations i.e. Bossruu, Marangrang, Mabures, Steven, Magnet, Temane, Lesibana, Mphoza, Sbu, Zola, Suspect, Khaya and his wife, Titi, Virgy, Lerato, Martha…this is only a few of those who were there.
Sunday, Acer Cyber Team had a date with Esselen Park Wanderers in Esselen Park. The game started at about 14h00 instead of 12h00 as was planned. The game was just an exercise and for the guys to loosen up a bit. These are the people who started the game: Mphoza, KKK, Beloved, Willy, MKT, Khaya, Sbu, Jabu, Neville, Bossruu and Elvis. Coach Mabures gave them freedom to play positions they felt like playing.
The game was a balanced one, the heat was unbearable hence there wasn’t too much running. Both teams took it easy while invading each others goal posts. Khaya assigned himself an offensive position in middle of the park, this where he says he is effective.
Neville and Sbu were doing the runs in most cases while Khaya was calming play, taking charge of the midfield. Our defense was very much solid, MKT doing the sweeping at the back, Willy and KKK doing much better job than Sithole and Nzama on Saturday, who can forget Beloved for those breath-taking and crucial tackles he was doing at the back. As for Mphoza, for those who know him, I need not say much.
Wanderers were the first to score taking the lead. Elvis was very much instrumental upfront but he seemed to have ran out of steam hence he substituted himself, on came Suspect in his place. Neville, thorny as he was at Wanderers defense, scored the equalizer for Cyber Team.
Bossruu who was doing well initially had to make way for Cyber’s long awaited debutante, Mamza. Just before half time, Neville laid a through ball to Suspect who made a solo run only to be outpaced by Wanderers defender. Half time score was 1 all draw.
Second half was the more interesting half of the whole game, both teams were hungry for victory. Lack of match fitness seemed to be Mamza’s downfall, he wasn’t doing bad for someone who hasn’t kicked a ball since 11 years….LOL! Mamza eventually was sacrificed for our other much-awaited return of the Mac, I am referring to our very own Marangrang, who is back from an injury that sidelined him for about 7 months.
Neville who was constantly a thorn to Wanderers defense scored Cyber’s second goal to put them in the lead. Couple minutes later Wanderers equalized. Usual Suspect, I guess the name says it all, was unlucky not to have scored on the day, I guess inexperience and lack of confidence were his downfall.
There was a situation where Wanderers keeper literally rolled the ball on Suspect’s feet, only for Suspect to fluff the opportunity. I can agree that liquor and s*x are not good for a playa before the game….LOL!
Jabu, who was playing on the left flank was doing valuable runs on that left side. As expected, Neville netted Cyber’s 3rd goal but as it was the case from the beginning of the game, when we score, Wanderers coma back and scores to equalize. They scored the equalizing goal to make the score 3 all.
The Cyber Team continued putting pressure on Wanderers guys, Khaya sending dem balls forward for Suspect and Neville upfront. Sbu was making those Wanderers guys run like headless chickens on that right flank, but he eventually got exhausted hence giving Lesibana a chance.
Seeing that Suspect couldn’t convert all the chances he had, all the scoring job was left to Neville as he single handedly tore Wanderers apart, he scored Cyber’s 4th and 5th goals. All 5 Cyber goals were scored by him. Wanderer scored what seemed to be a legit goal but Cyber defenders and the keeper seem to have seen otherwise.
The ref was convinced that the ball did not hit the inside of the post but the outside. But Wanderers managed to score one more goal to reduce the deficit, the score was 5-4 to Acer Cyber Team. Elvis, who came back on for Jabu, could have increased the tally to 6 when Suspect laid a pass on his feet with only the keeper to beat but unfortunately Wanderers cane to the rescue.
The score was now comfortable for Cyber Team as they seemed relaxed, Mphoza even felt he can do a better job than manning the posts as he made a solo run from his post dribbling past everyone up until the half of Wanderers where he was eventually dispossessed.
The final score was 5-4 to Acer Cyber Team, thanks to Neville who single handedly scored all the 5 goals. After the game, the chairman of Acer Cyber Branch, Mabures, had a brief meeting with the members who availed themselves. After the meeting, we had a braai as usual. Thanks to everyone who made it to Esselen Park after a hectic Saturday night.
On Sunday 21 December, Esselen Park Wanderers invited Acer Cyber Team for a soccer game and at the same time hosting them for their closing function. Details will follow during the week.
Yours in Cyber issues
Usual Suspect
