Young Masters almost give Santos a lesson

By Rodney Reiners

Santos (2) 3

Mabopane Young Masters (1) 2

Santos nearly paid dearly for their complacency and complete lack of urgency as they got the fright of their lives from little-known first division campaigners Mabopane Young Masters in a Bobsave Super Bowl tie which went to extra time on Saturday.

Santos sleepwalked through this encounter and fritted away their ample possession with aimless passes in areas where they posed no danger to their opponents.

Their finishing was shoddy and they can count themselves very fortunate to stake a place in the last 16 of this lucrative cup competition.

Young Masters, by contrast, were enterprising and effervescent. They were inventive on the ball and fought for everything.

Nobody at Santos appeared willing to take the game by the scruff of the neck, until the introduction of Thando Mngomeni, younger brother of Bafana Bafana's Thabo.

Mngomeni's graft and skill created numerous openings during extra-time and it was his presence that added the spark Santos were missing for the entire game.

Earlier, Santos took the lead when the two Mauritians combined to contrive a rather scrappy goal.

Sebastian Bax had a shot parried by Young Masters goalkeeper John Dithebe, the former Hellenic and Supersport United custodian, but Jean-Marc Ithier was at hand to scramble the ball into the net.

The lead was shortlived, however, as Young Masters were awarded a penalty a minute later and Billy Ratsoane converted the kick.

Santos then took a 2-1 lead when Young Masters defender Phomolo Kanyane headed Thulani Mahlangu's cross into his own net.

To the credit of the first division side, they never even allowed that to deter them and levelled with a magnificent effort from Alpheus Dube early in the second half. Remember the name ... he is sure to be heard of in future.

The winner then came after a surge upfield from Santos captain Edries Burton. His run set up Mahlangu out wide, whose cross was deftly tucked in Kenyan giant Musa Otieno.

Santos won, but they won't be feeling too happy. They never played to their potential and they were embarrassed by a team who shouldn't really have been on the same field.

FC Fortune (0) 1

(Sishuba 49th)

Manning Rangers (1) 4

Maselesele 45th Mushangazhike 74th Trigo 86th Makhubela 90th

First Division FC Fortune put up a brave display, but in the end the superior experience and ability saw the premier league side run out comfortable winners in this Super Bowl tie.

The average age of the Fortune team is 19. And it showed as it was a case of men against teenagers.

Fortune tried their best. They gave their all. But they just lacked that little extra.

Even though Fortune threatened on the break, Rangers were always in control.

They were composed and confident on the ball, and professional in their approach.

The big problem for Fortune in the first half was their inability to stay with Rangers' runners off the ball. They ball-watched too often and their opponents simply ghosted past them.

Rangers then duly took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Lucky Maselesele, pounced on the rebound and struck a thunderous shot.

Four minutes into the second half, Fortune were level.

Sishuba's wonderful, mazy run set a chance for Dlamini and the striker made no mistake.

The stage was set for a huge upset but then Zwane crossed and Mushangazhike restored Rangers' lead.

And it wasn't long before it was 3-1, with Trigo tucking a neat shot past Boise.

Then, in injury time, Rangers added another through Simon Makhubela.

- A 10-man Kaizer Chiefs huffed and puffed their way into the second round when they eased past Black Leopards 2-0 at the Johannesburg Stadium on Saturrday.

- In Durban PSL leaders Orlando Pirates overcame a plucky Greenpoint Vultures 4-2 to move through to the last 16 of the Super Bowl.

Sunday's fixtures:

Bloemfontein Celtic v Phoenix City; Jomo Cosmos v Kiwi Double Seven; Sundowns v Hellenic (live SABC2 at 3pm); Amalawus v Ria Stars; Golden Arrows v African Wanderers; Ravens v Bush Bucks; Spartak v Saxon Rovers; Free State Stars v Moroka Swallows