The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
VISITING Slovakian coach Stanislav Liekovsky who watched two Joshua Nkomo Trukumb Top 8 matches yesterday, felt the games lacked possessional play and with the players employing passing football.
Liekovsky, who is part of a delegation of coaches brought in to scout for players during the tourney, said he was impressed with most aspects of play but was worried that players did not seem more comfortable on the ball and mainly employed long balls.
“I haven’t seen much of local soccer really just those two matches but I realised the players need to play the ball more and not quickly pass. Having more possession allows the player to show how skilful he is with the ball and they can position themselves adequately to make a proper pass,” said the Uefa Pro-License holder, who is in the country together with two other Czech coaches, Peter Venglarcik and Miroslan Nemec.
The trio was invited to scout for players that can go for trials in Europe during the Sothern Region Division Joshua Nkomo Top 8 tournament. They were brought into the country by Austrian-based football agent, Didier Kanku to facilitate transfer of talented footballers to Europe.
In the quarter-final matches that were played yesterday, last minute entrant, Bosso90 beat Indlovu Iyanyathela 2-1 in a match played at White City Stadium.
Bosso90, who replaced Technosphere, got their goals from Ray Lunga and Nqobizitha Mpofu while Indlovu Iyanyathela replied through Saviours Sibanda.
Black Boots and Amagagasi’s encounter at Luveve ended in a nil all stalemate and the match had to go to penalties with the latter triumphing 5-4.
Talen Vision and ZPC Hwange drew one all but the former went through to the semifinals courtesy of a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win. In the other match played at Luveve Premier Soccer League bound Bantu Rovers fell to ZRP Byo Province 1-0 through an 80thh minute strike from Eriko Phiri.
Winners of the inaugural tournament, which is sponsored to the tune of $10 00, are set to walk away US$2 400 richer with the runner-up pocketing US$1 500.
Losing semi-finalists will each get US$700 with the losing quarter finalists set to receive US$300 each.
@rasmthembo
