AFAS’ male team undone by goal keeper’s errors as Tech goes through to the semi-finals.

Olamilekan Mashika

In a quarter-final clash that pits AFAS with Tech at the SUB pitch, AFAS conceded two freekick goals which could easily have been dealt with by a goalkeeper of average standard. AFAS took the lead in the opening 10minutes through a well-taken team goal finished off by Victor. For the goal, a couple of passes were exchanged down the left before a ball was wiped in and then flicked by AFAS’ striker, and then it fell kindly for the AFAS’ winger to tuck it easily into the bottom right corner. This was very well deserved after their very good start to the game. But after this goal, Tech found their gear. They grew into the game and started seeing more of the ball and creating more chances but the fashion in which the goal came was a bizarre one, an absolute howler from the AFAS’ goalkeeper.

Tech won a freekick deep away from the penalty area but the goalkeeper could not deal with a tame shot from the freekick, pushing it into the back of the net for Tech to get an equaliser. Moments later, Tech took the lead for the first time in the game. Another freekick was won far off the penalty area but an equally tame shot was deflected, but the goalkeeper thought it had deflected off a Tech player and allowed it to roll out of play. Tech was awarded a corner which they took quickly and after a quick passing, the ball was headed in from the back post by a Tech player who rose highest to meet the ball.

The second half started with equal intensity as the first. This time, it was AFAS at the front foot. The pressure paid off as they won a penalty. The penalty was put away perfectly by an AFAS player. Then almost immediately, Tech won another freekick from long range, and the AFAS goalkeeper failed to deal with another tame shot from the freekick which was heading straight at him. With this, Tech changed their pattern and then waited to hurt AFAS on the counter. This, they did perfectly as they scored from a counterattack. Tech defender won an aerial duel in their half, and the ball was played to the right-wing. The Tech winger blitzed past an AFAS defender and out a cross in which was tapped home into an empty net by the Tech left-winger waiting at the far post. With this goal, the game was lost as Tech was had a resolute rearguard.