Posted in News on Jan 19, 2004.
The game started at a fast pace with 37degrees mounting more pressure on the AC FC's defence. Gordon was playing for 37degrees this time and gave our midfield some torrid times in the opening stages as he knows our Players very well.
In the opening 20mins Acer Cyber defence was stretched and the Captain on the day, Tsakani made two mistakes fortunately the opposition couldn't profit from that.
Seemingly the responsibility was too much for him. Letsota, AC goalkeeper made a brilliant save from shot that was taken
from range. The second part of the first half belonged to AC. Usual Suspect was combining well with KKK and Jabs, who by
now was commanding the midfield. Willy on the other hand was combining well with Nkulu. More moves by AC on the wings
started to trouble 37 degrees defence and it was no surprise when Ususpect failed to connect with a cross and the chance
went begging. On the day Ususpect outplayed himself, the ref failed to miss to caution Kabelo from 37 for some
rough tackles on the Usual One & subsequently the ref was taken off as he lost the grip on the game. AC defence
was comprising of Willy & KKK (Right & Leftback respectively), Tsakani (central defence) and Callies as the Sweeper.
37 degrees were restricted to shooting from range as the AC defence was water tight & the midfield doing a great job of breaking down the attacks which were mostly started by Gordon. Jabs & Neville were the Central midfielders with Jabs taking more responsibility in breaking down the attacks and distributing the ball. Neville was unfortunate to
see his shot parried by the keeper for a corner. AC's moves were mainly through the flanks & it was unfortunate to see the work by Nkulu & USuspect go to waste since the finishing wasn't good enough to trouble 37 Degrees.
Nkulu & Ususpect were wingers (Right & left respectively). Neville also did well going forward & had it not for the
honeymoon the AC strikers were enjoying, more goals would have been scored. Koloba and Molamo(who's normally a midfilder but due to lack of strikers on the day) were the strikers.
In the second half AC surged forward with a purpose but since there were no scoring boots, 37 Degrees caught AC by surprise after Gordon managed to beat Willy who was now on the left to cross the ball to an unmarked striker who easily tapped the ball into the net(No nets but to an open goal). More substitutions were made: Bossruu, Samora, Prince, Benny,Nhlebs,
Sbudamore, Lesibana.
With all these subs, AC was found wanting sometimes. The subs brought no luck though countless opportunities were created.
One notable chance was the cross which looked easier to score than miss, Usual One closed his eyes before the ball got
to him & he headed wide. Unfortunately when Referee (Nkulu who took over from Bossruu so Bossruu could play) blew his
whistle for fulltime, AC had lost this one. In the second half, AC had more chances to score but seems not only
the strikers were on honeymoon but lady luck wasn't smilling on AC. The Game ended 1 - 0 to the hosts 37 Degrees.
Overall it was a great performance from both teams though the were some ugly scenes. AC was combining well from defence to
the strikers. If AC can give such performances in the corporate League, sure they'll be a surprise package. Seems Mphoza
will have hard times dethroning Letsota. On the day it was a team erffort that produced this great performance rather
than individual brilliance.
With such a team, a good finisher is all that's needed for all the moves to end in the back of the net. Koloba also created
some but unfortunately such chances went bvegging.
AC didn't have much followers this time as only Marangrang, Martha, Secret One, Lucky & Coach Mabures were spectators and the subs of course.