1 June 2023
Maritzburg College were given a stiff test by Alexandra High late on Wednesday afternoon in the semi-finals of the KZN High School Football Association’s second term Inland competition but, after a stern examination of their character, the red, black and white came away with a 2-1 win.
Goal-scoring opportunity
Playing on Barns, College were almost gifted a first minute goal when the Alex goalkeeper miskicked, slicing the ball, which fell kindly for the home team. However, a superb last-gasp covering tackle robbed the hosts of a quick start.
For much of the opening stanza, College enjoyed the majority of the possession, but they did little with it. In the final third of the field, Alex effectively dealt with any attacking efforts. Meanwhile, the visitors looked dangerous on the counter.
Towards the end of the half, Alex turned over possession deep in College territory and managed to get off a quick shot towards goal. College net-minder Philip Schutte got his left foot to the ball, but it fell behind him and, at a stretch, the winger stabbed the ball into the back of the net. It was 1-0 at the break.
“We made life difficult for ourselves”
Commenting on the first half, College coach Chemon Petersen said: “We made life a little bit difficult for ourselves, not taking care of our passes, not trusting each other enough, and not moving the ball the way we are used to doing. We definitely should have been 2-0 up, in my opinion.
In the second half, though, College were much improved. They controlled the midfield and were, thus, able to stretch the Alex defence with more probing weighted passes for the red-shirted forwards. College also enjoyed strong success down the right wing. That was due to a half-time tweak, coach Petersen explained.
“We changed our left wingback onto the right-hand side, to challenge their pace out there. We brought in another midfielder who was more robust in his approach. He brought a more physical presence to the game.”
It made a big difference, and College’s fighting spirit helped them to battle back from a goal down. “We were gritty”, reckoned Petersen. “We didn’t back down, and the boys showed amazing fight. They just didn’t want to let it go.”
Difference-maker
One of the key difference-makers was the captain, Mateo Horstead, who led the second half charge after not being much of a factor in the first half. A pep talk from Petersen helped Horstead to dictate matters after the teams had changed sides.
Petersen recalled: “I said to Matteo, ‘You’re a creative player. You know how to play football. You were born to play this game. Go and do what you know to do. Just exploit the pockets a little more’.” Throughout the half, the midfielder’s probing balls challenged Alex.
College levelled after an incisive attack down the right by Philasande Khuzwayo. He cut in on goal and fired off a shot, which the keeper parried. But Mazithi Qasha was well positioned to steer the rebound into the back of the goal with his left foot to make it 1-1.
Winning goal
The winner came from the boot of Zipho Makangela. Chasing a through ball, he beat the goalkeeper and a defender with a lunge at the ball, reaching it a fraction of a second before the boys in light blue and maroon, to knock it over the goal-line. His decisive effort was followed by an exuberant celebration as he was mobbed by his team-mates.
“I had no doubt,” coach Petersen declared. “I have a mountain of belief in these boys. It’s about seeing their true character. And we’ve seen they have character.
“When they go a goal down, two goals down, it’s a never-say-die attitude, and that’s what we try to teach College footballers. When the going gets tough, you roll up your sleeves and you get down in the trenches and you grind.”
With another victory under their belt, College will next face Linpark in the final.
Linpark booked their place in the title-decider after winning in a penalty shootout over Carter. Previously, when College and Linpark met, the red, black and white claimed a 2-1 win.
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