Coach Bongs gets it wrong

He had never lost and if he was going to lose it had to be in style and indeed it was in style, writes Simba Nembaware.

Sunday's encounter against Oodi based Vuvuzela (a Ndebele/Zulu word for sprinkle) had all the ingredients of a thrilling encounter as this was FC Broadhurst's first out of town match in as many seasons. This was also the day when for the first time the team had more than one substitute on the bench: it had six though only two were effective.

The departure time set for Oodi was 9 am but the team only left over an hour late as a three men strong negotiating party had to be sent to Benji's place and plead with his wife who had not only locked him in the house but also hid his soccer boots. When the visa was granted, all roads led to Oodi.

The first half went well because at the interval the visitors were leading 2-1 and the result remained the same for just over a quarter of an hour into the second before Coach Bongs pressed a self destruction button. He had made one change during the break, bringing in one lanky player who seemed to be good during warm ups but he was to create cracks on FC Broadhurst's defense wall had been well marshaled by Thando, Ronny and Thutsi. Thutsi was rested and another disappointing wing back entered the fray and by now Vuvuzela was really sprinkling its presence all over the visitors' 18 yard area. With no able support from the wings, the duo of Thando and Ronny finally gave in and the pacy hosts had a great feast.

Bra Hlo who was the right link in midfield was taken out and replaced by the team's goal keeper who naturally could not hold the ball with his feet. The coach's error was worsened by the injury inspired exist of Simba. He had been tasked to play the holding position in the midfield but his feet could not carry him anymore due to excruciating pain from his fibula; its been nagging him for a month now.

Benji had started the game at central defense but was shifted to right wing back "because he can't use his head" and later was thrust upfront to partner Zeal in strikeforce. The exist of Bra Hlo and Simba saw him being dropped into midfield so that he could partner Tiego and Zex. In a single game he had played all positions serve for goal keeping and that really summed up FC Broadhurst's day.

When the referee blew the final whistle it was 8-2 in favour of the hosts and Coach Bongs apologized to his charges; "I am the one to blame for today's loss, i wanted to accommodate everyone since we had traveled all the way down here and i wanted everyone to play. This won't happen again guys."