Maungani too bright for Shooting Stars

Maungani FC beat Tshakhuma Shooting Stars 3-1 to lift the Gwamasenga Dry Cleaners and Laundry U/15 Soccer Tournament trophy at the Tshifulanani Stadium on Sunday.

Although they did not have enough time to rest after beating Itsani Manchester United 1-0 in their semifinal match, Maungani demonstrated a spirit of commitment from the onset. The game was characterized by wasted scoring opportunities, although no goal was seen during the regulation time.

Maungani's sharpshooter, Gain Ndaba, tried his luck from the 25-meter area. The keeper of Shooting Stars, Fhulufhelo Maanda, braved the shot and palmed the ball away for a corner kick.

The Stars’ diminutive left flank, Mubvuledzi Ndou, had his chance in the 18^th minute. Instead of relaxing on the ball and trying other possible ways, Ndou caused an upset by shooting aimlessly from close range. The struggle continued, with Maungani pressing hard in search for early goals.

The Stars’ keeper made his presence once again three minutes before the break. This time around he stretched to the limit to execute a brilliant save after Tshifhiwa Mufandilani unleashed a rocket from the edge of the box. Maungani could have sealed the game nine minutes before the final whistle, but Munei Mukhali’s volley hit the crossbar and bounced back into play. Shooting Stars played defensive football for the remaining part of the game.

The scoreboard was still empty when the referee blew the final whistle and the winner was determined through penalty shoot-out. Maungani scored three via Gain Ndaba, Nndanganeni Tshume and Tshifhiwa Mufandilani, while Shooting Stars managed to convert only one of their five chances through Khodani Managa.

Date:22 July 2016

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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