In a gruelling couple of matches on finals weekend, Howbill’s Die Hoek soccer team stumbled in the semi-final against Die Eike, but recovered to take third place after a penalty shootout win against Uitsig.

In the semi-final against Die Eike, Howbill’s striker Sokolani Panya put the first points on the board. The team was able to maintain its lead for most of the game. Still, due to a communication error between the backline and midfielders, it lost the ball on an interception, which the opposing team was able to capitalise on to score. During the final four minutes of the game, Die Eike scored again, and the team was unable to find an equaliser in the remaining minutes. 

According to manager Majai, the team’s heads were not in it, however, after the match they pulled themselves together and realised they want to bring something home to the farm. 

Energized they went into the match for third place against Uitsig.

Sokolani’s boot found the back of the net again during the first half, but Uitsig scored an equaliser. At final whistle the scorecard read 1-1 and the game went to a penalty shootout. At the penalty shootout, Die Hoek’s goalkeeper was able to block two shots on goal. The Howbill penalty takers stayed calm and secured four penalty kicks. 

The final score was 4 – 2 for Die Hoek.

It was an exceptional tournament for the Howbill soccer teams, with two of the three teams reaching the round of sixteen after no teams reached the playoffs in previous years. They aim to keep their momentum going in the coming tournaments.

Photo: Provided