KEAGAN MITCHELL
Although struggling in the group stages, Ikapa Sporting goalkeeper Tashriq Morgan, 17, was in fine form between the sticks, conceding only three goals in five matches to help his side finish ninth place, at the Engen under-17 Knockout Challenge, in Parow, at the weekend.
The young shotstopper was the hero in his side’s 9th/10th position play-off match against Fish Hoek, saving two penalties and scoring the winning spot kick after the sides played to a 1-all draw.
Slotted in Group C, alongside Glendene United, Greenwood Athletic and Maties, Ikapa got their campaign off to a shaky start with a 2-1 defeat to Glendene but bounced back to beat Greenwood 2-0.
Their final group game, a do or die fixture against Maties, saw the boys’ from Stellenbosch winning 4-3 on penalties after playing to a goalless draw.
Ikapa then had to play in the bottom eight section which they dominated, beating Challenge Cup debutants Parkwood’s Southampton FC 3-0, Atlantic Nacional 2-0 and Fish Hoek 4-3 on penalties.
Tashriq said, although his side woke up late in the competition, they made the most of it towards the end
“I am proud of how well we bounced back after we did not make the winners section quarter-finals. To concede three goals at a major junior tournament is a great achievement,” he said.
