MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The promising Mossel Bay side, Sea Birds FC, missed out on the perfect opportunity to close the gap in the top positions after going down 2-1 against Simunye in George.
This Safa Eden Regional Men’s League fixture took place at the Lawaaikamp Stadium on 28 February.
The Sea Birds scored first after some delightful touches on the ball played in from the centre of the field - Zimvo Dulini didn’t fumble it when he made it 1-0.
Lwazi Mkhetho of Simunye hit the woodwork with a powerful shot from the centre of the field.
Both teams were playing enterprising football, looking for some loopholes. The evergreen Luzuko Sabelesiva (Simunye) proceeded to level the score to 1-1, beating Sea Birds’ goalkeeper Lihle Kibi with his solo effort from the left side of the field. Anathi Tafeni and Xolile Magcuntsu were controlling the game from the centre half, supported by Linamandla Jadan Mthonga on attack.
Linamandla Jadan Mthonga of Sea Birds. Photo: Zama Gagu
The first 45 minutes of the game ended on 1-1.
The second half saw both teams grinding for more chances. Sesethu Jack and Shane Booysen (Simunye) were very influential on the field, putting more pressure on the Sea Birds’ backline.
Jadan Mthonga tried his luck with a powerful cracker, however, his dangerous ball went over the bar.
Simunye took the game from the Sea Birds, attacking on the right side of the field - their hard work from the centre half paid off when Siyabonga ‘Mpumlo’ Miggels converted the second goal putting his side in a 2-1 lead during the last minutes of the game.
Simunye’s win got them bumped up to the top eight on the log, while Sea Birds remain in the top five.
Coach’s thoughts
Sea Birds’ Coach Zintle Hani told Mossel Bay Advertiser the game went well, according to their anticipation and planning. They knew it was going to be a tough one since they were looking to move up on the log, but it was not meant to be.
Hani said they started the game on a high note pushing for an early goal to get control of the game, something he thought they did well in the first 30 minutes, competing for every challenge - they merely lost concentration just before the end of the first half.
He added that it was a 50/50 game in which Simunye came back stronger looking for the second goal - most of the time they were playing wide with the intention of stretching his backline.
Hani admitted it was a hard one to swallow, but they’ll accept the defeat, go back to the drawing board and come back stronger in the next fixtures.
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