By Joshua Hendricks.  IMAGES: Courtesy of The 4th Moment

On a sunny Tuesday morning, North Pines AFC and Ubuntu Football Academy met in a  David and Goliath clash at the Bayview u16 Tournament – and provided arguably the most heroic moment of the tournament.

Both teams put on a great display of fantastic football. Tied with a goal each, the match went straight into the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

That’s when North Pine goalkeeper Ivile Vazana stepped up and delivered against one of the best academies in the Western Cape.

“I’m very happy that I could help my team,” he said. “My coach has put his faith in me and he depended on me. Very happy that we won this game.”

The Kraaifontein-based footballer single-handedly made two saves in the penalty shoot-out, swaying the encounter in North Pine’s favour and ultimately delivering qualification to the Quarter-Finals. 

Unfortunately their run in the competition came to an end when they lost to Rebels FC from Khayelitsha by a 5-4 penalties scoreline. But at least they proved something along the way: practice makes perfect.

“Making two saves, I felt so happy,” Vazala said. “We’re always practising our penalties, and to execute it in a match like that just gave me so much joy.” 

Meanwhile, the Bayview tournament is set to conclude tomorrow (Friday, 30 June 2022) with semifinals  and the finals. In the bronze section, Bayview Blue will take on Belhar Spurs and Nova host Gugs Invitation. Dangerous Heroes play YMCA in the Ladies Winners semis while  Hotspurs will lock horns against Cape Town Roses. In the Imeyaah Cup, Ubuntu will clash with Beaufort West and Milano will go head-to-head with Masithandane. All games kick-off at 09h00.

The big one will start at 10h00 when Stellenbosch play Blue Down Spurs in the Platinum Section and Riverside Rangers welcome Rebels. In the Gold semis Rygersdal will take on Leeds and Bayview Red will host Red Rovers. The Silver semis will see Onemiso clashing with JL Zwane and Woodlands facing Eagle Wings.

Edited by Nicklaus Kruger