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Manchester United will be playing in a higher league next season after being crowned champions of the Helderberg Local Football Association’s Stream B on Saturday evening, 15 September.
They defeated Helderberg Football Club 4-3 in a thrilling encounter at Lwandle Stadium. Manchester came to the match needing just a draw to secure the league, while their opponents needed a victory to claim the title.
Helderberg drew first blood at the beginning of the second half, with their striker finding the net after a bad clearance from Manchester at the back (0-1). The goal was a wake-up call for Manchester, who visibly improved their game.
They were awarded a penalty in the 60th minute, which they converted to level the scores (1-1). Relentless attacks from the Manchester charges saw them score two more goals to take a healthy 3-1 lead.
But Helderberg refused to back down and netted two more goals to take the encounter to a 3-3 stalemate in the last minutes. But a determined Manchester knocked the nail in the Helderberg coffin when they scored the final goal of the match to win the enthralling encounter 4-3 and take the league honours.
Helderberg FC coach Marok Sebastian was not pleased with the officiating of the match and had exchanges with the referee throughout the match. “It was a fair game, except for the referee who allowed too many things. It was a disgrace,” he claimed.
“Our team has been robbed throughout the season. I’m really disgusted with the officials in this league and I will not be returning next season.”
For the Manchester United troops, who dream of playing in a professional league in the future, it was a joyful day. “I feel very happy that we are champions,” said team captain Simakele Majingolo. “The league victory was always coming, as we have been fighting for this for some time. We lost many players last season, with some quitting the team for various reasons. But we have a strong team now, that will certainly challenge for honours in the future.”
Lonwabo Currie, coach of Manchester United who joined the team at the beginning of the season, said his arrival brought belief to the players. “They responded very well to the things I added,” he said. “During the next season, with our moving to another league, we will not just be there to add numbers, but we’ll be there to compete.”
