14 June 2023
There was a feeling of déjà vu when Glenwood took on Port Shepstone High in the Final of the KZN High School Football Association Coastal under-19 second term competition at Chiltern Park on Wednesday afternoon, with the title being decided from the penalty spot.
In the semi-finals, the Durban school had accounted for the defending champions, Westville Boys’ High, also from the spot, but this time around they came as close to being beaten as possible, only to escape a do-or-die situation to come away with a memorable victory.
The hero was, once again, Sanele Mthembu, who took over in the Glenwood goal just before the end of regulation time, thus ensuring that he would be between the sticks for the penalty shootout.
It started disastrously for the boys in green, with their first two penalties both being missed by nervy shots directed wide of the goalkeeper’s left post. Coming back from that position was a very big ask. However, Mthembu gave Glenwood a chance with a stop.
Crucial save
Still, Port Shepstone had an opportunity to clinch the title, tied at 3-3 with Glenwood, but with one last kick to come. The shot wasn’t struck with enough venom and was a little too close to Mthembu, who got down smartly to his left to make the stop and force the contest into a sudden death situation.
Andile Mbatha was handed the responsibility of taking the next kick for Glenwood. With impressive calm, he sent the Sheppie ‘keeper the wrong way, thus turning the pressure up on the school from the south coast.
Port Shepstone’s penalty to stay in the contest was way too tentatively struck and Mthembu had way too much time to make the title-winning save. Title secured, the Glenwood boys exploded with joy, racing towards the corner flag to the right of the goal to embrace Mthembu and share in an ecstatic round of hugs and whoops of joy.
Coach’s thoughts on the shootout
Commenting on the contest afterwards, Glenwood coach Khaya Ngwengwe shook his head, somewhat in disbelief, when asked about falling 0-2 behind in the penalty shootout: “What can you say? You work on something, and then maybe the moment got to them, and they decided to change the way they take penalties. But fair play to our goalkeeper at the end for getting us back into the game.”
Lauding Mtembu for his title-clinching saves, Ngwengwe said: “We know he is quality. That’s why he’s our goalkeeper for penalties. He’s a really, really good player.”
Winning the title was a pleasing boost, Ngwengwe added: “It’s nice for the boys, and it’s nice for the school. Last year, we lost in the final, so to get over the hurdle and win it this time was good. Ideally, we would have liked to win it during the game, because I thought we created enough opportunities to do that.
Inspiration
“It’s good for the programme, and for the younger boys that look up to these guys, especially now that they’re watching them on SuperSport Schools. I’m getting messages already. That’s wonderful. Now, we know that the younger boys are going to want to strive to win it one day. Fair play to our players.”
Reflecting on the play in regulation time, which saw Glenwood own the advantage in the first half, with Port Shepstone coming back into the game strongly in the second half, Ngwengwe said: “They definitely changed the way that they played in the second half. They started hitting long balls. We needed to adjust to it, and we also got a bit tired. I don’t remember either side making a change. We ran out of legs at the end, but we had to adjust.”
Port Shepstone managed one rasping shot on goal in the second stanza but, apart from that, neither keeper was seriously tested. “I thought the way we played with our back three and our five through the middle, was solid,” Ngwengwe said. “Maybe once or twice, we were caught out, but I thought boys did well with a back three.”
Full credit to Port Shepstone, who brought a lot to the competition. They’re a quality outfit who, at the beginning of May, defeated Glenwood 3-2. Their results also included wins over Northwood, Pinetown and Durban High School. On this day, though, they couldn’t find a way through the Glenwood defence in regulation time. Then, Sanele Mthembu showed his big match temperament to win it all for the boys in green.
Next up for Glenwood, along with many of the province’s leading teams, will be the Kloof Tournament. “This was a nice rehearsal for that,” coach Ngwengwe said.
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