Feast of goals

Wayeni Sea Robbers came back from a 1-3 half-time deficit to beat Ficus FC 7-4 in their preliminary round match for the Gwede Manthashe Foundation KO competition match at the Makwarela Stadium on Saturday.

It took Sea Robbers the whole first half to acclimatize to the tempo of the game. Ficus capitalized on the slow start of their opponents and scored three goals and conceded only one during the first 45 minutes.

Ficus took the lead in the 15th minute. Rofhiwa Nemasisi found the net with a ground cutter, following a neat pass from Jerry Mpofu. As if they were the leading side, Sea Robbers committed suicide by playing defensive football afterwards. They conceded two more goals within the space of 10 minutes. Victor Netshipala tried his luck from outside the box with a half volley. The ball hit the crossbar and bounced across the goal line.

In the 24th minute, Ndamulelo Maanda made it 3-0 with a grass cutter. Sea Robbers reduced the margin in the 37th minute. Winstone Tshisevhe dribbled past two defenders in a row and scored easily to bring the half-time score to 3-1.

Sea Robbers approached the last half with more self-confidence. Their overlapping defender, Vusi Sambo, forced his way through the defence of Ficus and showed the keeper the wrong way.
Sea Robbers strengthened their midfield by introducing Ringesa Manganyi for Toka Theke in the 54th minute. Things turned against Ficus when their marksman, Victor Netshipale, was given his marching orders following a second bookable offence. Collen Sambo was brought down within the box moments thereafter and it was a clear penalty for Sea Robbers.

Forget Baloyi converted to make it 3-3. Winstone Tshisevhe scored the fourth in the 65th minute. Ringesa Manganyi and Forget Baloyi scored the fifth and sixth in quick succession. Winstone Tshisevhe completed his hat trick in the 76th minute, following a scramble within the box.

Ficus reduced the margin when Lindelani Mudau headed home after a corner kick that was taken by Jerry Mpofu five minutes before the final whistle.  

Date:20 November 2015

By: Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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