Eagles swoop to championship of Map Games
ALEXANDRA – Braamfischer Eagles swoop to victory of the Map Games 2016 at the Alexandra Stadium.
Just like a bird of prey, Braamfischer Eagles swooped down on the Maimane Alfred Phiri (Map) Games 2016 and landed the biggest meal of the day in their maiden tournament.
They beat much-fancied fellow newcomers, Rebels of Reiger Park in Boksburg 4–2 on penalties after the two teams were tied 1–1 after regulation time in the final of the Map Games.
Played at the Alexandra Stadium which was bursting at the seams, and had the organisers at sixes and sevens for fear of a potential stampede, the Soweto outfit walked away R140 000 richer.
The Eagles made their intentions clear from the very start of the games and in the semifinals they walloped Alex outfit, DRA Peacemakers 5–0 in the second leg after a 4–3 win in the previous one.
In the final, had they utilised all their scoring opportunities that came their way, the birds of prey could have easily wrapped up the game in regulation time. They started the game like a house on fire and the Rebels keeper was called upon to make three brilliant saves early on.
The Eagles goal came in the fourth minute of the game when they could have easily been three goals up. However, it was the Rebels who scored next from the penalty spot when an Eagles player handled the ball in the box.
The two sides went into the break at 1–1 with the Eagles definitely having the better of play.
The Rebels picked up their tempo in the second half but neither team could find the decisive breakthrough.
With the team’s locked at 1–1 when the final whistle blew, the matter was then settled by the lottery of penalties. Eagles scored all of their penalties with the Rebels missing two of theirs thus propelling the mighty birds to the 2016 championship.
Results of the other finals were:
Losers final
DRA Peacemakers 0 – JT Black Stars 1 (all Alex teams)
Ladies football
Drama Queen 2 (5) – Palace Super Falcons 2 (4) on penalties.
Alex Masters Soccer League
Real Sundowns (Alex) 1 (4) – Headbuoys (Soweto) 1 (2) on penalties.
Exhibition matches
Ukhozi FM 1 – Maimane Xl 0
Real Madrid U14 0 – Malandela Mighty Heroes U14 1.
