Lion City focus on league after defeat
ALTHOUGH Lion City were bundled out of the SAB League Nedbank Cup playoffs in the first round in East London last Saturday, it is not the end of the world, City boss Dr Ngubo Biyana said.
"We were unlucky not to progress to the next round and even win [the play-offs]," Biyana said.
"We created a number of chances but failed to capitalise and some poor decisions by the referee did not help either".
"The (SAB) league is now our priority and we are determined to win. The boys will have a short break and be back in training the first week in January."
City are currently third on the log behind neighbours, Subs and Callies.
The Motherwell outfit who won the Safa-NMB SAB leg of the competition, competed against the winners of seven municipalities around the province at the Duncan Village fields and Jan Smuts Stadium.
They lost 3-1 on penalties to FC Montego after the teams were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
Montego also won the next match on a penalty shoot-out where they beat The Stars 3-1 on penalties. Again the full-time score was 1-1.
Their luck finally ran out when they lost 1-0 to Amampondo United (OR Tambo) in the finals.
United play Second Division League champions FC Buffalo City on January 11 to decide the provincial winner who will advance to the last 32 where they will compete against Premier League teams.
Results:
Quarterfinals: Amampondo United 3 Difra Stars 0, Super Eagles 5 (1) African Brothers 4 (1), The Stars 3 Mighty Pioneers 1, FC Montego 3 (1) Lion City 2 (1).
Semifinals: Amampondo 4 (1) Super Eagles 3 (1), FC Montego 3 (1) The Stars 1 (1).
Final: Amampondo 1 FC Montego 0.