Alexandra U15 team have been crowned Afrika Tikkun Champions League champions after beating their downtown rivals 2-0.
Alex’s side, which was made up entirely of players from Norwood Young Stars, the winning side of the local version of the tournament, had earlier beaten Diepsloot 4–3 in the semi-finals to claim a place in the final while Uthando , as Downtown is known after Braamfontein’s Tikkun center defeated an Orange Farm side 2-1 to claim their place in the final.
Uthando started the league game like a house on fire and took the game to Alex with forays into his opponent’s goalmouth looking for an early goal, but it never materialized.
It served as a wake-up call for Alex who responded to the onslaught with an opportunistic goal from his hard-working striker Thato Ndlovu, who together with Omphemetse ‘Yellow’ Mojele literally carried the team on his shoulders.
It was Omphemetse who contributed to Thato’s goal by providing the cross that found him in good position and allowed one of the tournament’s two stars to etch his name on the scoreboard.
It wasn’t long before Omphemetse got its name on the scoresheet as well. Both players tried to get their suspenders in the game but Uthando’s keeper stood firm and denied them the opportunity.
Played at the newly renovated but already collapsing Alex Safe Hub on 2nd Avenue just behind Alexandra High School, the game ended 2-0 and Team Norwood Young Stars’ Team Alex were crowned champions .
When asked why they decided to use the entire Stars squad in the squad, Alex’s Tiger Matholengwe said it was a deliberate decision as the local football association wanted to keep the core of the team that won the local stage of the tournament.
“We thought it would give the boys the advantage as they know each other very well, given the nature of our extended home side of the tournament and the fact that we didn’t have enough time to build a team, let alone train her. I am happy that the decision paid off and that we avoided criticism,” said Matholengwe.
Diepsloot’s U13 side were crowned champions of this age division after overcoming Uthando 4-0 in the final.