8 June 2023
On Thursday, on Barns, the Maritzburg College 1st XI overcame a slow start, with a typically strong second-half showing carrying them to a 1-0 win over Linpark in the final of the KZN High School Football Association’s Inland second term competition.
Throughout the competition, College found a way to come out on the right side of matches decided by one goal. It is said winning is a habit, and College’s winning formula appears to be effective second half adjustments served with a healthy dollop of desire.
For Thursday’s final, a festive crowd surrounded the field to watch College, clad in black on this occasion, face Linpark, in their orange strip.
Linpark had their moments, but Maritzburg College goalkeeper Philip Schutte produced some excellent saves, Then, the match-winning goal came from a familiar source as Mazithi Qasha struck for the red, black and white. It meant he had achieved the remarkable feat of scoring in every round of the competition. This time his goal won College the silverware.
Man of the match
The man of the match award, though, went to the defender KG Matshoge, who was injured towards the end of the contest, but stood firm until the final whistle.
Interviewed afterwards, Matshoge summed up his team’s performance, saying: “The game was a bit rocky at the start, and we weren’t playing our football. But, I think, in the second half, after our half-time team talk, when coach told us what we had to fix, we improved. That’s why we got the result we got.”
Asked about College’s ability to turn it up in the second half, he said: “I think it is our desire and our will to improve each and every minute, and that’s why we do it every single time.”
Being able to lift the trophy “means the world to me,” Matshoge added, “and I am very thankful to be with a team like this, coached by such a great guy, and just a good community who helped us lift this cup today.”
“Something that we dream about”
The coach Matshoge referred to was Chemon Petersen, a College Old Boy, who said being able to guide his alma mater to the title was special: “It hits home for me. I love this place with my whole heart. I did my schooling from grade 8 to matric here, so being here is surreal, but being able to lift the trophy is something that we dream about.”
Petersen praised Matshoge for his match-winning performance, saying: “KG is a fantastic kid. His heart is bigger than his chest. I don’t know how it fits in.” He said he saw his defensive ace stiffen up under the strain of the injury, but when he asked him if he wanted to come off, Matshoge said “No, I’ve got this”.
The first half, Petersen said, was frustrating, but he preferred to focus on the positives, and the second half performance was good.
“The boys have great character,” Petersen said with pride. “That means the most because, when the chips are down, you know who is with you, you know how deep you can dig. That’s the main thing. I am absolutely ecstatic. Each and every one of these boys are champions. They deserve it.
“Last year, we lost in this final to Haythorn, and I said to the boys ‘remember what happened last year, because it is time to rectify what we couldn’t do last year.”
Director of Football’s view
College’s Director of Football, Nic Haswell told Pinnacle Schools: “It’s wonderful for the boys to make history on Barns in the 160th year of this school. They will never forget this.
“This bunch of lads has an incredible resolve, and they have maturity. I have been coaching for many years and I don’t think I have had a more mature bunch of lads. They have self-belief.”
In two weeks’ time, College will be in action in the Kloof u19 Tournament. The third term, then, brings a number of knockout competitions and a full schedule of interschools fixtures. Matters are about to ratchet up considerably.
Looking ahead, Haswell finished: “As you know, at College we play to win everything, and we hope that today was the first step on that journey.”
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