The players of Benny's Care played their hearts out to beat Makikela High 4-3 on penalties in the provincial final of the Sanlam Kay Motsepe School's tournament at Seshego on Sunday.
The match was equally contested, but Benny's created more opportunities. It was evident from the start of the match that Benny's were the stronger team, with their midfielders dishing promising passes to their front runners.
In the 10th minute, Rendani Mudau of Benny's received a good pass from Ernest Munyadziwa to score easily. Five minutes later, Marubini Manyane of Benny's broke loose, but his attempt at goal went a little wide.
Matume Malatjie of Makakile was booked for dirty play. Although Makikela enjoyed enough ball possession, their promising moves were stopped by the good defence of Benny's.
The match turned out to be a balanced affair in the last stanza. That was influenced mainly by the fact that Makakile were cooling the ball down in the middle of the park, giving their opponents no chance to do as they pleased. Both side used all their substitution chances earlier in the first half.
Theo Malatjie of Makakile equalised with a volley in the 67th minute. He sent the Benny's keeper, Gladwin Gulula, the wrong way. Benny's were unlucky in the78th minute, when they were awarded a free kick at the edge of the penalty box. Mutshidzi Nemaxwi was brought down on the brink of scoring.
The match ended in a 1-1 all draw and in the penalty shoot-out, Benny's claimed victory.
Benny's will represent Limpopo in the national championship in October.