The semi-finals of the DJ Super 8 entertained the biggest crowds that the tournament has seen.

Koloale FC and Uncles won their respective semi finals and earned their place in the final at Lawson Tama Stadium.

Semi-final 1 – Makuru FC vs Koloale FC

The first semi-final match was between Makuru FC and Koloale FC. The game started to a fast moving yet highly controlled rhythm of football.

Makuru FC had impressed in the pools stage and were favourites to beat Koloale FC. However the absence of playmaker and the tournament’s leading goal scorer Alick Maemae in midfield looked like it unsettled the Makuru squad. 

This meant a lot of Makurus dreams lay on the shoulders of veteran striker Batram Suri who stood up to the task when he scored Makuru FC’s first goal from a free-kick in the 24th minute.

Batram played exceptionally well throughout the game but Maemae’s absence created a hole in the Makuru front pack. Koloale FC equalized in the 51st minute with a Richard Anisua penalty after a Koloale forward was brought down inside the box.

Koloale FC’s turbo-charged striker Oscar Sara made it 2 – 1 a few minutes later. Koloale FC maintained the lead and appeared to be winning when Makuru substitute George Afia struck after a goal mouth scramble in the 87th minute, ripping the game wide open.

No side was able to better the other and the score remained 2 – 2 at full time. Extra-time saw the teams struggle to edge the other but all efforts were short. The match then progressed on to a penalty shout-out.

Before this could take place there was a power interruption which knocked the Lawson Tama lights out and left the fans chanting POWER! POWER! POWER! The lights returned and the penalty shoot-out started. In the end Koloale FC beat the odds against them and won the match on penalties 4 – 3 and with the aggregate score of 6 – 5. The result is a huge upset since Makuru FC was touted by many to win the championship.

Match Summary:

Line-up Makuru FC – Felix Ray (1) GK, Nelson Sale (22), Berry Galokale (12), John Iani (4), Derrick Taebo (21), John Anita (17), George Lui (13), Monystyn Sanga (9), Leslie Leo (6), Batram Suri (10), Ezra Sale (11) Subs – Leon Lekezoto (20) GK, George Afia (14), Moffat Kilifa (3), Leslie Kakai (2), Ben Kunua (8), Robert Mafane (19), Max Ruku (15), Paul Kakai (18)

Line-up Koloale FC – Shadrack Ramoni (21) GK, Timothy Joe (6), Mahlon Houkarawa (17), Cecil Buru (4), Welchman Houkarawa (2), Henry Koto (18), Mostyn Beui (15), Pressly Futa (9), Augustine Amoi (7), Richard Anisua (5), Ian Paia (11) Subs – Santos Soeasi (20), Jeffrey Bule (3), Steve Anisi (16), Leonard Olea (19), Thomas Taloga (8), Oscar Sara (12), Lency Saeni (13)

Goals: Batram Suri (Makuru) 24, Richard Anisua (Koloale) 51, Oscar Sara (Koloale) 57, Goerge Afia (Makuru) 87

Penalty Shoot-out goals: Makuru – Leslie Leo, Batram Suri, George Lui

Koloale – Richard Anisua, Lency Saeni, Oscar Sara, Jeffrey Bule

Cautions: John Iani (Makuru) 19, Nelson Sale (Makuru) 62, Berry Galokale (Makuru) 100

Semi-final 2 – Uncles FC vs Marist FC

The second semi-final started on a very slow note with both teams taking a bit of time to get into play mode. It was hard to blame the teams since the match may go down in record as the latest starting match to ever be played at Lawson Tama stadiu.

Uncles FC seemed to be taking the upper hand yet Marist FC with its young players made it hard for them. There were some good chances wasted by both sides including a penalty by Marist. Junior Billy made some good runs for Uncles FC but Marist FC defenders were able to read and match his speed.

The injection of Ian Ngahu brought spark into the Uncles outfit but couldn’t convert his dynamic attacks into goals. The match reached full-time with a 0-0 score-line.

Going into extra time both sides expressed their desire to win with some good moves on their opposition’s goal early on. The turning point came when a penalty was awarded to Uncles FC for foul play inside the box. The Uncles playmaker, Judd Molea, made no mistake in sending the ball beyond Fred Hale and into the back of the net. This seemed to cause things to fall into place for Uncles because 2 minutes later Gibson Dadau netted a close ranger to make it 2 – 0.

The lead was extended to 3 – 0 when Uncles substitute Loea Aaron scored, effectively sealing the victory and a grand final place for a team that totally deserved it.

Match Summary:

Line-up Uncles FC – Paul Huia (21) GK, George Kwanae (17), Eddie Ngaitini (13), Hardis Aengari (16), Gibson Daudau (3), Milton Furai (2) Micheal Molea (9), Molis Gagame Jnr. (15), Fulton Temoa (18), Judd Molea (10), Junior Billy (11) Subs – Alfred Lofana (1) GK, Brian Feni (7), Kaliasi Feni (6), John Gilbert (19), Loea Aaron (4), Francis Masibata (14), Ian Ngahu (12)

Line-up Marist FC – Fred Hale (20) GK, Joseph Lani (7), Martin Ruhasia (16), Arnold Keni (12), David Houpere (3), Jerry Sam (6), John Wayne (8), Michael Misitana (10), Gibson Hosea (15), Joachim Waroi (9), Johan Doiwale (1) Subs – Phillip Misibini (13), Ronny Wale (5), Francis Saemala (4), Michael Patiti , Bentley Nalangu (11), Phillip Samani (14)

Goals: Judd Molea (Uncles) 98, Gibson Daudau (Uncles) 110, Loea Aaron (Uncles) 120

Cautions: Martin Ruhasia (Marist) 21, George Kwanae (Uncles) 28, John Wayne (Marist) 39, John Gilbert (Uncles) 79