Ajax Hotspurs dominate semi-finals

Ajax Hotspurs School of Soccer Excellence dominated the semi-finals of the Ajax Hotspurs Youth Festival as they made it through to the finals in all age groups. The Royal Kings steamrolled past Chicken Inn in the Under 14s triumphing 1-0 through a well struck penalty taken by the eccentric young 12year old goalkeeper Rewad Muza.

In the other Under 14s semi-final, Highlanders proved too strong for Bantu Rovers sending the Tshintsha Guluva boys crashing out with a 1-0 victory.

Highlanders and Ajax Hotspurs Under 16s slugged it out to a nil all draw before before Ajax accounted for Highlanders 4-2 on penalties to send Mpopoma into delirium.

In the second Under 16s semi-final of the day Bantu Rovers were too strong for the drumstick boys with Tambudzai Ngulube finding the all important goal that sent Chicken Inn counting what could have been.

The match of the day was between Highlanders and Ajax Hotspurs where Highlanders totally outclassed and out thought Hotspurs with a commanding display that kept the fans on their edges of seats. Bosso were rewarded for their probing with a masterclass set-piece that left everyone at Somhlolo Stadium marveling at the intelligence of the youngsters. 1-0 Highlanders were cruising and the script was on the wall that Hotspurs were crushing out. In the second half the manager Gugulethu Dlomo Hadebe's half-time pep talk seemed to change and turn the tables against Bosso as Hotspurs came back probing with a polished display and Prince Mpinju Hlabangane brought the hosts back into the game with an exquisite finish to beat Norman Zimba in goals for Bosso. Ajax Hotspurs captain Thembani Mhlophe was shown a red card for kicking out at a Highlanders player but Hotspurs held on to take the match into a dreaded penalty shoot-out and all first four takers missed as the adrenalin reached fever pitch. Ajax held their nerves to kick-out league champions to book a hatrick for the clubs in all age groups.

Bantu Rovers won an ill-tempered second semi-final 2-1 as Chicken Inn saw double red.

Rovers meet Hotspurs in a blood and thunder affair to decide who raises the inaugural Ajax Hotspurs Youth Festival Trophy.

In a friendly exhibition match pitting Ajax Hotspurs Division 2 against Highlanders, Bosso triumphed 2-0 to bring the curtain down to the days proceedings. True to its exhibition billing it was an exciting friendly that was full of thrills and spills.