2-1 victory for Madridtas

Tumelo Chuene of Ratanang and Gift Nemutandani (left) of Madridtas wrestle to win the loose ball.

2-1 victory for Madridtas

Madridtas FC continued to pave their way to the top of the log by beating Mokopane Ratanang 2-1 in their ABC Motsepe League match at the Tshifudi Stadium on Saturday.

Madridtas took the game to their opponents from the first whistle, with their strikers, Pfunzo Tshikotshi and Dakalo Nemakonde, pressing hard in search of an early goal. It took them only seven minutes to open their account. Their bulldozer-striker, Pfunzo Tshikotshi, hooked in the ball, following a heartbreaking scramble within the box.

The visitors from Mokopane did not lose hope, despite conceding an early goal. They continued to play like a team, with their midfielders dishing out some telling passes to the strikers. They came close to scoring in the 24^th minute, when Tumelo Chuene shot wide from inside the box after beating two defenders in a row.

Ratanang found the equalizer in the 37^th minute. Thabo Maimela headed home after a corner kick from Mojalefa Kekana. The game turned lukewarm in the remaining part of the first half as both sides adopted a wait-and-see pattern of play.

Madridtas introduced Rofhiwa “Danger” Netshiungani for Lutendo Mujdau two minutes into the last half. The referee, Mr Austin Chauke, flashed the first yellow card in the 59^th minute. Thabo Maimela was warned for faking an injury. The home side scored the winning goal in the 78^th minute. Oscar Ntshauba was brought down within the box and the referee awarded a penalty to Madridtas.

The penalty became a centre of controversy, with the players and officials of Ratanang arguing that the penalty was illegitimate. Mpho Thole of Ratanang was given his marching orders, following a continued argument with the referee

*The results of the other matches are: Bellevue Winners Park 2, Polokwane United 0; Giyani Hotspurs 0, Molemole Academy 1 and The Dolphins 5, Great North FC 1.

Dakalo Nemakonde of Madridtas (front) and Mpho Thole of Ratanang chase the ball.

Tumelo Chuene of Ratanang controls the high ball while Khathutshelo Mukomafhedzi of Madridtas watches from behind.

Maduvha Mudologi of Madridtas kicks the ball.

Date:01 December 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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