Peddie pulled out all the stops to emerge as the champions of the King William’s Town Masters Football Association (KWTMFA) League Cup after their hard-fought 2-1 win against a determined and motivated Rhayi-based Qonce in Breidbach on Sunday.
Qonce got off to a dream start and had the hundreds of local supporters on their feet after midfielder Lungile “Jiza” Dyantyi found the back of the Peddie nets in the 20th minute.
However, their excitement was short-lived after the visitors bounced back three minutes later when Mzukisi Ntsitho levelled matters and Lubabalo Masiza capitalised on a defensive blunder to put Peddie 2-1 in the lead a few minutes before halftime.
For their efforts, Peddie took home the League Cup and prize monies to the tune of R2,400, while Qonce left with R1,400.
Legends, as the bronze medallist, walked away with R700.
Peddie’s road to the final came after a 2-0 win against Legends, while Qonce beat Violets in a penalty shootout after their score was deadlocked at 1-1 after regulation time, in entertaining semi-final games played at the same venue on Friday evening.
During a post-match interview, Qonce interim coach Lukhangela Mguba blamed cited a lack of concentration for their defeat.
“We started the game attack- minded, contained our opponents and had the upperhand when Jiza scored a cracker of a goal but my players lost concentration and conceded two silly goals after school boy errors at the back,” Mguba said.
Peddie captain Zamuxolo Totyi said: “Today’s result is the fruit of hard work, dedication and commitment by the players, coaches and executive members as we were well-prepared for this challenge.
“We knew from the onset that it was going to be tough and it was indeed, especially after Qonce scored the opener and that was when I told my players to keep their cool and try to find the equaliser before halftime, which they did,” Totyi said.
Thrilled KWTMFA founding president Vumani Mazwi said he was proud of what he had initiated in 2018 with the establishment of the association.
“The main purpose of establishing this association was to bring unity, peace and stability to our communities through vibrant of sport, and soccer in particular, so thumbs up to the current executive,” Mazwi said.
“Indeed it was a dream final as class was displayed and thanks to both finalists as you put us on our toes the whole game.”
Mwesi Daniso, who has taken over from Mazwi, and said Peddie reigned supreme as they out-foxed a very determined Qonce.
