Sello Rabothata and Meshack Khotha

Sello Rabothata and Meshack Khotha

The Lamontville Golden Arrows boss could not take it anymore.

So 2010 Local Organising Committee member and team owner Mato Madlala ordered her team off the field in their second Group B match against Supersport United after being 5-0 down within a few minutes of the first half.

This was in the national finals of the Manchester United Under-15 Nike Cup held at the Safa Klipspruit grounds in Soweto since Saturday.

Madlala allegedly accused United of using over-aged players in the tournament.

There were some very big and strong Under-15s on display and the event was turned into a mockery as a "win at all costs" mentality prevailed.

"It was unbelievable," said an Arrows technical staff member. "They scored after four or five touches of the ball. If it were not for the bravery of our goalkeeper, it could have been worse. It was clearly a mismatch. What's worse is that some of those boys are from KwaZulu-Natal, so we know their proper ages."

Madlala could not be reached for comment yesterday.

What could have been an exciting event was marred by cheating. There are also calls for the suspension of all age group competitions until a solution is found.

Arrows played their last game against Dlamini XI Experience and lost 5-1. They lost their first game 2-0 to Manchester United.

Bidvest Wits face Balfour Alexander in the first semifinal today, while SuperSport United meet Moroka Swallows. Both games start at 11am and the final will be played at 2pm.

Yesterday's results: Orlando Pirates 0, Ajax Cape Town 0; Africa Sport 2, Mogale City 0; Swallows 2, Mamelodi Sundowns 0; Harmony Academy 0, Ajax 0; Manchester United 0, Dlamini XI Experience 0; Balfour Alexander 5, Tuks Pretoria 0; School of Excellence 2, Marks Park Rangers 1; Pirates 0, Harmony 0; Bidvest Wits 1, Ajax 0; SuperSport United 1, Manchester United 0; Experience 5, Arrows 1.