Kaizer Chiefs duo Naledi Hlongwane and Samkelo Zwane were on target for the All Stars XI, who defeated Magesi FC 3-0 in the Carling Cup.
Carling Cup
Halftime: Magesi v All Stars XI
Date: 21 December 2024
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Magesi had the same line-up that beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout final, apart from Dimakatso Komape and Kayden Rademeyer.
All Stars had only five senior outfield players, Ashley Du Preez, Relebohile Mofokeng, Bathusi Aubaas, Samkelo Zwane and Asekho Tiwani.
Stars started brightly and within the first 11 minutes Naledi Hlongwane gave them the lead with a strike past goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze after a through ball by Samkelo Zwane.
Jose Riveiro's charges were enterprising going forward and midway through the first stanza Zwane doubled their lead with a side-footed shot after a pass in the box.
All Stars had their confidence up and around the half-hour mark, Hlungwane gave them a 3-0 lead and got his brace with a good turn and shot in the box.
However, All Stars could not maintain their pace going forward and Magesi gained control of the match towards the end of the first stanza but they could not create chances as they went to the break trailing by three goals to the good.
All Stars had more experience coming from the break after introducing the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch, Patrick Maswanganyi and a little later Tshegofatso Mabasa.
However, Magesi still had the energy as around the hour-mark, Wonderboy Makhubu came close to pulling a goal back with a low diagonal shot in the box that was saved by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
The pace of the game slowed down with 15 minutes to go, as chances were few and far between, although Riveiro's men had the momentum.
Lorch almost made it 4-0 for All Stars a moment later with an audacious shot from the centre circle after he caught Chipezeze out of his area but his effort came off the crossbar and the Zimbabwean recovered to deny Mabasa a tap-in from the rebound.
The writing was on the wall for Clinton Larsen's troops in the dying minutes and Mabasa had a chance to make it 4-0 for Stars after a good cross by Seth Green but he guided free header in the box wide.
All Stars in the end were crowned champions for the second successive season.
Here's how they lined up:
Magesi: Chipezeze, Chirambadare, Rademeyer, Komape, Mokone, Mzava, Darpoh, Mekoa, Kakora, Makhubu, Mashigo
Subs: Tshabalala, Baloyi, Makgopa, Mokone, Manzini, Njoti, Ngwandla, Masegela, Matima
All Stars XI: Chaine, Mokone, McCarthy, Mbokazi, Tiwani, Zwane, Aubaas, Kekana, Mofokeng, Mokoena, Hlongwane
Subs: Biyela, Madalane, Cossa, Sinoti, Frosler, Vilakazi, Phiri, Selepe, Green, Lorch, Maswanganyi, Mabasa
