Rise Together fail to rise to the occasion
ALEXANDRA - Rise Together suffer their first loss at the hands of Blue Aces.
Rise Together FC easily surrendered their position at the summit of the Promotional League of the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association.
This after suffering their first loss after three straight wins, at the hands of a gritty Blue Aces.
The team that hails from the Johannesburg CBD were leading the pack on nine points but were hammered 3–0 and have been toppled at the summit by their rivals, Gunners FC. Gunners now top the log on 10 points from four games.
Rise Together was put to the sword by Aces as they started the game the hungrier of the two, piling on the pressure which resulted in their opening goal from a simple tap-in by Sifiso Mavuso in just under 15 minutes of play.
It was 2–0 two minutes later when Sello Mafa buried a penalty after his teammate Hendry Makgae was fouled in the box as he attempted to take a shot at goal.
Aces finished the first half on a high, leading 2–0 though they could have easily killed this game off in the first half had they banged in all their chances. Aces started the second half from where they had left off, knocking the ball around and exchanging accurate passes. They were rewarded midway through the second half after Mafa slotted a beauty for his brace, sealing the win for coach Dominic Moitsi’s team.
“This league is there for the taking and we’re going all out to win it,” said a confident Moitsi, buoyed by the win against the former log leaders.
“It is part of our club mandate to win the league and we’re just going to do that.”
Rise Together coach, Jabulani Ntshani was equally bullish saying they were caught flat-footed this time around and would make amends in their bid to win the league and promotion to the Safa Promotional League.
“We’re going back to the drawing board to reorganise our come-back strategy,” he said.
“This is a temporary setback and I can assure you the boys will back. Watch this space.”
Rise Together won the ANLFA Cup in their maiden season in 2016, beating the mighty Malandela Mighty Heroes who now ply their trade in the Safa Promotional League.
Read: No 1 Sports Ground transforms into modern sports and training facility
