Kinnah lifts cup with Free State

Former Flames coach Kinnah Phiri was part of the Free State Stars coaching panel that guided the South Africa Premier Soccer League (PSL) side to a charity cup glory in Lesotho on Sunday afternoon.

Working as an assistant to Stars head coach Themba Sithole, Kinnah celebrated the team’s win of the inaugural Lesotho Prime Minister Charity Cup after outclassing Bantu FC 3-0 in the final at Maseru Setsoto Stadium.

“The boys did exceptionally well. They showed nerves of steel and character and it was good that we won the trophy as this will bring the much-needed winning confidence ahead of PSL opening match of the New Year against neighbours Bloemfontein Celtic,” Phiri told the club’s official website.

Kinnah is employed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports as a sports development officer in Mzuzu, but reports suggest that he is seeking unpaid leave while he works for Stars.

During the Lesotho event, Enva Esterhuizen scored a brace while Moeketsi Sekola converted from the penalty spot as Stars proved too strong for the current Lesotho Premier League leaders, according towww.freestatestarsfc.co.za

The tournament kicked off on Saturday involving other Sotho teams such as Likhopo, Lioli, Linare FC, Matlama and Majantja which Stars thrashed 3-0 in the semi-final on Saturday. Bantu progressed to the final after beating Lioli 5-4 on penalties.

Stars, who are second from the bottom of the 16-member PSL, pocketed R25 000 in Lesotho where they are fine-tuning for the second round of the

South Africa season currently on Africa Nations Championship-induced break.