Makhitha Oscar Stars were crowned as the new champions of the Commac Cup after beating Zamenkomste Liverpool 5-4 during a penalty shoot-out. The two teams played to a goalless draw at Zamenkomste on Sunday.
Liverpool approached the match like a house on fire, with their midfielders distributing telling passes to the strikers. They threatened to score in the early minutes when Phethani Sikwivhilu forced his way through the defence of Stars before passing the ball to Aluwani Mutshinya. His attempt missed the target by inches. In the 28th minute, Thembisani Neluvhada of Liverpool went loose from the middle of the park and lost possession on the brink of unleashing from the edge of the box.
Stars introduced Sydney Lubengo and Arthur Selota for John Marindi and Lucky Funyufunyu respectively in the 49th minute. Stars' keeper, Faith Ratombo, was put to the test in the 60th minute. Leavy Machaba tried his luck from the 35-meter area with a volley. Ratombo made his presence felt by stretching to the limit to palm the ball away for a corner kick.
In their desperate search for goals, Liverpool effected more changes to their starting line-up later in the second half, but that did not change the complexion of the game. Stars were all over Liverpool in the last 20 minutes of the game, but their strikers were unlucky.
In the semifinal matches Stars beat Tshiozwi Dynamos 3-0, while Liverpool were too strong for Soutpansberg Powerline and beat them 5-4. Stars went home with R2 000, gold medals and a floating trophy. The second-placed Liverpool received R1 400 and silver medals, while Tshiozwi Dynamos and Soutpansberg Powerline received R800 each.
Nthabiseng Makgopo of Stars was the man of the final and he also received a trophy.