Mkhulu Mashau
Two impressive goals scored in quick succession of each other secured Meadowlands Liverpool a well deserved 2-0 victory over Lusitano in a heart-pumping Soweto Football Association’s (SFA) Premier League Stream E match at a packed Meadowlands Zone 5 Ground at the weekend.
The win saw Liverpool record their ninth straight win in nine games.
It was a significant win as it also took Liverpool to the top of the log, unseating Lusitano who had enjoyed the top spot for several weeks.
It was one of the most exciting games at the venue in a long time and took fans down memory lane to the years when local teams, most of which are now defunct, entertained the crowds in the same way.
Liverpool were more aggressive from the first whistle and made their intentions clear when Lusitano’s keeper was called upon to make a breathtaking save after Liverpool’s Promise “Promie” Shibambu’s shot hit the upright, bounced back into the field and was cleared away by the jittery Lusistano’s defence.
But minutes later, the left footed striker had reason to smile after his numerous raids on Lusitano’s defence was rewarded with a goal.
Lusitano tried hard to match the host team but found towering goalkeeper Masala Marumo unyielding.
The combination of Shibambu and Thomas “Fish” Shibambo resulted in Shibambo powering a long shot from outside the visitors’ penalty area, to score Liverpool second goal.
Liverpool’s chairperson Lawrence Mathebula was over the moon again.
“This just goes to show how seriously we want to win the league.
“I don’t like losing,” said Mathebula.
In an earlier game, Meadowlands Real Madrid came from behind and snatched a 3-2 victory over Meadowlands Scorpions in a local derby.
Scorpions led 2-0 at half-time and appeared almost certain to register their first win over their archrivals, but crumbled in the second half.
As expected, Madrid’s livewire Sibusiso “Nsunda” Khumalo came to his team’s rescue, scoring two beautiful goals and contributed in the third.
“Although I was concerned, I knew we would come back and win because there was still plenty of time left.
“I also realised our opponents tend to relax, assuming they’d won, then we pounced,” said the nippy Khumalo after the game.
For his part, Scorpions coach Xolani Xaba said he accepted full responsibility for his team’s defeat.
“I instructed the players to relax and enjoy the game because there was only 20 minutes left in the second half. That was a terrible mistake,” he said.