Pirates miss perfect chance

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Safa Eden Hollywoodbets Regional League reigning champions Bitou Young Pirates missed the perfect chance to qualify for the elite Western Cape ABC Motsepe Provincial League - after falling short with points in their group.

The Kwanokuthula-based side reached a 2-2 draw with West Coast outfit Diaz Leeds in the thrilling Western Cape Third Division playoffs last Sunday afternoon, 21 July at Kwanokuthula Stadium in Plettenburg Bay.

The Diaz Leeds skipper, TJ Diedericks, produced a stellar performance in their deciding game, steering the match and creating more opportunities for his side.

The Western Cape Hollywoodbets Regional League Championship game got off to a good start, with both teams playing the ball on the ground, trying to get their first goal.

Home team Bitou Young Pirates employed their strength on the ball - creating more chances on the flanks by using the pace of their captain Thami Daweti, and Buchumile Booysen on the left.

Diaz Leeds took the game from Bitou Young Pirates, launching a strong attack from the centre of the field - and they managed to register the opening goal to make it 1-0 after great footwork by their centre half.

Both sides were coming up with excellent touches to the ball, with Diaz Leeds pressing the buttons, looking for more goals.

Leeds hit the woodwork after a series of forward passes, in their attempt to get a second goal.

Pirates retaliated with positive moves, going forward into the box and attempting to force a penalty, but the match official didn't allow their chance.

Diaz Leeds were pushing every ball in front of the box, trying to get more chances, and extended their lead, to make it 2-0, after a perfect cross from the right side of the field.

Thrilling second half

The second half saw Young Pirates looking very smart on the ball, grinding away for their first goal.

Bitou Young Pirates goalkeeper Mihlali Ziwani had to work overtime, blocking dangerous balls from the Diaz Leeds offensive players.

Young Pirates gained more confidence during the last minutes of the game - scoring their first goal to make it 2-1 after set play from the centre half.

The West Coast team tried their best to come back into the game, looking for more goals, but they failed to score a third goal.

The home team responded very well, attacking on their flanks, trying to get their equalising goal.

Bitou Young Pirates then netted their second goal, levelling the score on 2-2. They were looking for more goals to qualify for the elite Western Cape Provincial League in the upcoming 2024/25 season, because two goals was not enough.

The game ended in a draw, with Bitou Young Pirates missing the perfect chance to

go to the next division after failing to score more goals.

Safa WC president Ntantiso Modipa (left), and Siyabonga Tyhawana, the Safa Eden Region president (right), hand over the silverware to the winning captain, Moholei Pumutso.