Linda Moreotsene

Linda Moreotsene

Gauteng soccer teams went on the rampage on the first day of the Vodacom Playoffs, winning both their games against Limpopo opposition by huge margins at the Charles Mopeli Stadium in QwaQwa yesterday.

The ninth instalment of the tournament was played in freezing conditions, with limited community support, but the players on the field did not seem to care, with Palace Super Falcons of Gauteng overcoming Limpopo's Brazilian Ladies 5-0.

Four goals were scored in the first 15 minutes. Limpopo men's side Mokopane were whipped 3-1 by Orlando Pirates' development side Yebo Yes.

With Banyana Banyana coach Augustine Makalakalane in attendance, the girls were no doubt aiming to impress and in only the first minute of the game, hat-trick heroine and former national Under-19 player Belinda Nkosi capitalised on a half-cleared ball to make it 1-0.

In the fourth minute Masego Ntoagae sent in an innocuous looking cross that Nkosi did well to get a boot to and increase the lead to 2-0.

Six minutes later, Sesebo Mokhopa was on the scoresheet as well, and by the fourteenth minute, it was all over for the Brazilians, as Ntoagae and Nkosi connected for Nkosi to complete her three-goal haul.

The Brazilians could never recover against a team regarded as the best in Gauteng, though in all fairness they had a great player and leader in striker Noko Matlou, who will be crucial in keeping their morale up as the tournament unfolds. Falcons' last goal was scored in the 85th minute by Mamello Makhabane.

Yebo Yes followed the example set by the ladies in their emphatic win. Clifford Maphutha scored in the 13th minute, after his side was awarded a penalty when a Mokopane defender handled the ball in the box.

Yebo Yes' other goals were scored by Tshepo Mokone and Thulani Lukhele, while Mokopane got their consolation goal through Hasani Makubela.