After losing their first two SAB League provincial promotional play-off matches against Molemole Academy and Mokopane Ratanang at the Oscar Mphetha Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday, Madridtas made a comeback and registered two victories the following day.
They beat Ditlou FC from Sekhukhune 3-1 and doomed Mamaila Citizen Brothers 4-2 to finish the tournament with six points.
Their 3-1 victory Sunday against Ditlou did not come cheaply, as the opponents from Jane Furse demonstrated a spirit of commitment from the first whistle to the bitter end. Although Madridtas scored two early goals, Ditlou did not give in without a fight.
Madridtas scored their first goal nine minutes into the game. This after they were awarded a free kick in the 25-meter area. Percy Nkhumeleni beat the keeper with a volley from the set piece. Ditlou lost shape in the middle of the park shortly after Madridtas's opening goal. That gave Madridtas a good chance to increase the margin through Gift Nemutandani in the 18th minute. He beat the offside trap and sent the keeper the wrong way.
The keeper of Madridtas, Mashudu Nemakhavhani, was warned with a yellow card for wasting time. Nemakhavhani held onto the ball for far too long and the referee was prompted to do the countdown against him. Madridtas replaced Rinae Malinda with Solomon Noko towards the end of the first half.
Madridtas effected another change two minutes into the last half. They replaced Percy Nkhumeleni with Maanda Munyai. Ditlou pulled one back through Edwin Serakalala in the 68th minute. He scored with a free kick. Madridtas used their last substitution chance by introducing Lutendo Mudau for Majoni Matumba. Tsepo Makgoga scored Madridtas's third goal with a header later in the game.
The two victories were not enough to promote Madridtas to the ABC Motsepe League as Mokopane Ratanang from Waterberg District and Molemole Academy from Capricorn finished the two-day tournament with 10 and 7 points respectively.