Abarondoli took on Last year's winners One Lion in the 1st leg semifinal of the 32nd edition of the Phillys games, at the Esqongweni sports ground in Tembisa on New Year's Eve.
In a much-anticipated match-up, Themba Ndlovu made it 1-0 for Abarondoli in the 20th minute and in the 23rd minute Dilimo Lukhanya equalised for One Lion. Both teams trudged into the dressing room at the halftime break with the score at 1-1.
The 2nd half started like a house on fire. Mpho Kobola put the defending champions ahead in the 53rd minute. Christopher Mabunda restored parity for Abarondoli in the 60th minute when he scored a stunner. With 30 minutes left on the clock, both sides huffed and puffed as they struggled to convert chances and at the final whistle, a 2-2 draw seemed like a fair result.
REBELS EDGE GOMORA UNITED
In the final game of the day Riverlea side Rebels United took on Alexandra side Gomora United, Rebels had the ball at the back of the net as early as the 6th minute through Ramalelo O’Reilly.
The 2014 champions finished the 1st half of the match leading 1-0 and eventually held on to that score at the final whistle. Rebels now take that narrow lead into the New Year's Day 2nd leg encounter.
Monday’s 2nd leg semifinal fixture scheduled to kick off at 2 pm will see Rebels take on Gomora United and in the final game of the day, defending champions One Lion face Abarondoli. That game starts at 4 pm.
You can catch all these games live on SuperSport channel 202/209.