Oriented Birds fly at Kwano

SOCCER NEWS - On a chilly and cloudy Saturday afternoon, 6 April, the Kwanokuthula-based side Oriented Birds sank the Cape Town Spurs 3-2 in a thrilling Western Cape ABC Motsepe Provincial League encounter at Kwanokuthula Stadium in Plettenberg Bay.

Sherwin Abrahams and Nawaaz Salie scored the two goals for the Cape Town Region team CT Spurs, while Siyanda Madlala, Menzi Gwala and Lakhiwe Menze scored for the home side, registering their second win at home.

The wonder boy, Lakhiwe Menze (17), a Grade 10 learner from Murray High School, netted the third goal for Oriented Birds in a packed stadium. In the first leg, the CT Spurs played a 3-3 draw against Oriented Birds in Cape Town.

With 15 points, Oriented Birds is currently sixth on the WC ABC Motsepe log table in stream B with their sight on the top four positions. They have played 12 fixtures with four wins, three draws and five defeats. The Urban Warriors team occupy the fifth spot with 17 points on the log table.

Oriented Birds turned on the screws from the start, putting Spurs on the back foot and trying to attack with their left and right wing backs. Siyanda Madlala of Oriented Birds tried his luck just outside the box, but his strike went over the bar.

Spurs attacked on the right wing, but it was blocked by an Oriented Birds defender. With the Spurs captain, Luthando Mateza, marshalling his team at the centre of the field, Sherwin Abrahams scored the visitors' first goal to make it 1-0, beating the goal stopper Sesethu Nyhunyha with a powerful header.

The home team were chasing the game trying to get the ball rolling looking for the equalising goal. In return, Birds made the most of a set play to see Siyanda Madlala netting the equalising goal.

The battle moved to the centre of the field where the Birds players Khanyisani Radebe, Mduduzi Nsele and Menzi Gwala were controlling the game. Gwala scored the second goal for Birds, beating Cape Town Spurs goalkeeper Engel Ethan. At half time, CT Spurs were trailing 1-2.

The second half saw the talented youngster, Lakhiwe Menze, first failing in an attempt to score before he managed to score the third goal for Oriented Birds. With the Birds' defence at a peak, CT Spurs put up a fight to break through and tasted success when Nawaaz Salie scored their second goal.

The Western Cape ABC Motsepe League game ended 3-2 with the home team registering their second win in their own back yard.

Oriented Birds head coach, Welcome Qalanto, said his team are on the right track and are working very hard to achieve their positive results.

The players are gelling well and they are building a strong team for the upcoming 2024/25 season, aiming to make Kwanokuthula Stadium a slaughterhouse.

He had good words for the CT Spurs, saying they have a great team for the future.

He thanked all the supporters who come down to back their team and called on the community from across the whole region to show their support in great numbers.

The Safa Eden Region match officials and team captains, from left: Thandile Madela, Khanyisani Radebe, Endinalo Manyangaza, Luthando Mateza and Buhle Kwanto.