By: Zinhle Bhuda
Twitter: @zp_bhuda
Email:
pzinhle560@gmail.com
At the Tshwane University of Technology Astro
grounds on Saturday, May 11, 2024, Ditlou Titans and Tuks4 clashed in a high-stakes
hockey match. The showdown lived up to its anticipation, with Ditlou Titans
clinching a tense 3-1 victory over Tuks4 in the Northern Blues Hockey
Association league.
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| Ditlou Titans defending against Tuks4 Photo by: Elisa Letswalo |
Within the first 15
minutes, the Titans upped the game pressure, with its middle forward Margaret
Manabalala scoring the opening goal. Tuks4 fought valiantly to level the score, but as the
first break approached, Ditlou Titans maintained a slim 1-0 lead.
The second quarter unfolded as a series of
back-and-forth exchanges, with both teams creating scoring opportunities.
However, Ditlou Titans continued to assert their dominance, especially after
Manabalala, still fueled with determination, struck a beautiful goal, extending
her team's lead to 2-0.
The second half was
intense, with both teams giving it their all. The Titans goalkeeper made
several crucial saves, but Tuks4 had come back with a better strategy, and Mufaro
Chetsango scored a goal and gave hope to the team. Within the final
minutes of the game, Titans right forward Mikateko Mawela scored the winning
goal, securing a 3-1 victory for the team.
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| Ditlou Titans striking hockey ball Photo by: Elisa Letswalo |
Titans head coach,
Masilo Mokoena, said he is glad that they won the match, but the team’s performance
was not what he had expected. “Although we won the game, the team didn’t play a
good style of hockey and that’s something we will work on,” said Mokoena. The
win moved Ditlou Titans up on the leagues log standings.
According to the woman
of the match Margaret Manabalala, without her coach and team members’ support,
she would not have made it, therefore she is grateful for them. “It is not
every day that this happens, today was my lucky day because I had a good practice
yesterday,” she said.
Though the loss was a
hard pill to swallow for Tuks4, head coach Keanan Wax believes that the team
can still improve. “The team didn’t perform very good, like they normally do
but there is still room for improvement,” he said.
Fans said that the
match was good and enjoyable to watch. “The teams gave it their all, which made
the game exciting,” said one fan.
Ditlou Titans will
proceed to play with other teams for the Northern Blues Hockey association
league in the upcoming weeks.
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