In a thrilling tournament neutral match held at Green Acres School on 12 October 2024, Sportslink Academy triumphed over Bafana Bafana U12 with a narrow 1-0 victory. The match kicked off at 9:40 am and showcased a tightly contested battle, with Sportslink Academy managing to secure the win through a late goal.
Sportslink Academy adopted a 2-2-1 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while also providing support in midfield and attack. Frank Pius took his place in goal, flanked by central defenders Clinton Mgeni and Shaban Hussein, who were tasked with keeping the opposition at bay. Brown Mmassy and Abdulwaheed Delwash operated as central midfielders, expected to control the tempo of the game and link play between defence and attack. Up front, Seif Said was positioned as the striker, with the responsibility of converting chances into goals.
The substitutes for Sportslink Academy included Ablaman Ally, Isaac Jackson, Nassor Salum, Cristal Mangolopa, and Akram Chaundry, providing the coach with tactical options to influence the match as it progressed.
The first half was a tactical affair, with both teams probing for weaknesses but failing to create clear-cut chances. The deadlock was maintained until the half-time whistle blew after 20 minutes of play, with the score still at 0-0.
Immediately after the break, Sportslink Academy made their first substitution, bringing on Ablaman Ally for Clinton Mgeni in a tactical switch aimed at bolstering their defensive capabilities. As the match continued, Isaac Jackson replaced Brown Mmassy in the 25th minute, further altering the dynamics in midfield.
In the 28th minute, Nassor Salum entered the fray, taking over from Abdulwaheed Delwash, as Sportslink Academy sought to inject fresh energy into their midfield. The tactical changes began to pay dividends as Shaban Hussein made a long pass in the 30th minute, although it did not lead to a chance.
The breakthrough finally came in the 31st minute when Seif Said scored the only goal of the match. He received a short pass from Nassor Salum and unleashed a powerful strike from outside the area with his right foot, leaving the Bafana Bafana U12 goalkeeper with no chance. This goal proved to be the decisive moment in the match.
As the clock ticked down, Sportslink Academy made their final substitutions in the 34th minute, with Cristal Mangolopa replacing Shaban Hussein and Akram Chaundry coming on for Seif Said. These changes were made to maintain the lead and ensure fresh legs were on the pitch as the team sought to see out the match.
Despite Bafana Bafana U12's attempts to respond, Sportslink Academy's defence held firm, and they managed to secure a hard-fought victory. The referee's performance was commendable, contributing to a well-managed match that kept the players focused on the game.
In the end, Sportslink Academy's resilience and tactical acumen shone through, allowing them to emerge victorious in this closely contested encounter.
