Two Lwandle teams came guns blazing when they participated at the under-21 Hollywoodbets Mayambela Community Cup tournament held in Khayelitsha Stadium over the Easter weekend.
Myrmidon took on Bazuka United on the final where it ended one all.
United, were the first to put their name on the scoresheet and went onto the half-time leading by a goal.
With a bit of pressure, Myrmidon came back and level things up and the game went on to extra time where it ended 1-1.
Myrmidon showed some nerves of steel as they clinched the tournament on penalties by 9-8.
An excited coach, Mduduzi Mtsweni said on Tuesday morning, it was only then it was sinking that they have won.
“Yesterday (Monday) we were just overwhelmed with emotions. It is only today, that we realise that indeed we are the champions,” he said.
“The entire tournament was very difficult from the beginning, and we also had a small squad to compete with. So, we needed to manage our players very well as we had to use the same players over and over again,” said a relieved Mtsweni.
He believes his players fighting spirit, hunger and determination was the difference between the other teams they battled out with in the tournament.
“You could see in their eyes, they were hungry and willing to fight until the last game. Our preparations as the technical team which included scouting our different opponents made a huge difference,” he believes.
Mtsweni told City Vision, even when the chips seemed to be down as they trailing behind, he was able to motivate his boys and at the end they showed up with a brilliant fighting back spirit to win the tournament.
The losing coach, Mzukisi Noyo thanked the Myambela Foundation for a tournament which let youngsters expose their talents.
Noyo said the tournament was very “tough” but they were also hungry to win it and represent their area.
“We also wanted to end the mindset that teams from Khayelitsha, Gugulethu were dominating over us. Our boys gave their all and we all knew going to the final fatigue was unavoidable,” he said.
Noyo gave credit to his boys and team owner, Enoch Bampi who never pressurised them.