THERE were several upsets in the Mofa Build It Premier League over the weekend with Valencia and Young Madrid the biggest casualties.
Valencia suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of tail-enders Motherwell United to hand them their first points of the season. Valencia drop two places on the log.
Young Madrid lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace, who retain their position at the top of the log.
Subs probably made the biggest gain on the league table when they beat Liverpool 1-0 to advance from 15th to 11th.
Liverpool lost their second match of the weekend, going down 2-0 to Young Romans, who move from fifth to second.
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PLATINUM stars defender Thamsanqa Gwabeni says if it was not for the Nedbank Ke Yona Competition he would not be where he is today.
The former Lion City player of Motherwell was among a host of Eastern Cape soccer players who took part in the Nedbank Ke Yona trial’s last year at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
After a series of tests, Gwabeni made the Ke Yona team and was picked to join Dikwena for a month and then landed himself a three year deal with Stars.
“The Nedbank Ke Yona has helped me a lot. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the competition,” Gwabeni said.
“So far things have been going well. I am enjoying myself. Coming from an amateur team and joining a professional one is not easy. There is no time to play games, you have to work hard, it’s, tough.”
Gwabeni made his debut for the Rustenburg based team during the Nedbank Cup last 32 fixture against Cape Town side Steenberg United FC.
“I enjoyed the game. There was no pressure because I was playing against people who were in the same age group as me. We won the game and I was very happy,” he said.
The Nedbank Ke Yona trial will return to PE and the Wolfson Stadium this weekend.
Gwabeni advised players to be themselves when they try out.
“When you go out there you must trust yourself. Do not try and do anything fancy on the field because you could end up making mistakes.
“If you are a defender do what you always do on match day. Same goes for the strikers and midfielders,” he said.
“I wish all those who will be going to Wolfson Stadium good luck for Saturday.”