By Becker Semela:
Siwelele FC reported their arrival in the Betway Premiership by hammering Golden Arrows at the jam-packed Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Saturday night.
They could not have asked for a better start to claim an impressive 3-1 victory.
From the first whistle, the passionate Siwelele fans created a carnival atmosphere, singing nonstop and cheering their team forward. Their energy seemed to lift the players, who wasted no time in making a statement.
After just 20 minutes, the home crowd erupted when Siviwe Magidigidi bundled the ball into the net from close range. The goal came after Vincent Pule’s header was saved by the Arrows’ goalkeeper but landed kindly for Magidigidi to finish.
Barely a minute later, the stadium was bouncing again as Pule punished a defensive mistake from Arrows. The experienced forward latched onto a loose ball and coolly slotted it home from a tight angle to make it 2-0 before halftime. Golden Arrows looked rattled and went into the halftime break trailing by two goals, unable to find a way past a disciplined Siwelele defence.
The visitors came out fighting in the second half and got their reward in the 49th minute. Keenan Phillips rose highest in the box and flicked the ball off his shoulder past the goalkeeper to cut the deficit to 2-1. But the home side, spurred on by the unrelenting chants of their loyal supporters, responded in style. In the 63rd minute, Magidigidi grabbed his second goal of the night with a powerful header from a Neo Rapoo’s corner.
Siwelele continued to press forward, creating several more opportunities, but the 3-1 scoreline remained until the final whistle. Their coach, Lehlonolo Seema and his players credited fans for their role in the victory, saying their singing and support provided the extra push the team needed to keep going.
Siwelele fans indicated that the win is a clear message to the rest of the PSL clubs that they are not here to make up the numbers. The club’s combination of attacking flair, defensive organisation and electric fan support could make the stadium one of the toughest grounds for visiting teams this season. –@NewsSA_Online
Dr Becker Semela: 2017/2018 SA Best Man in the Media can be reached on 072 3700 771 or email
becker.semela@gmail.com
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