Freedom Birds fly over Young Fighters

Mulodi Freedom Birds are through to the quarterfinal stage of the Zimunga Soccer Tournament. They beat one of the hot favourites, Rambuda Young Fighters, 1-0 at the Muswodi Dipeni grounds on Sunday.

The referee, Mr Mulalo Mubva, flashed the first yellow card in the 14^th minute. Tshilidzi Mundalamo of Freedom Birds tackled Awelani Mphigalale of Fighters from behind and he was lucky to escape with a yellow card.

The Fighters’ bulldozer striker, Pfunzo Tshikotshi, went loose in the 20^th minute, following a brilliant pass from Rofhiwa Nethononda and made an unforgettable blunder. Instead of relaxing on the ball and picking the spot, Tshikotshi decided to shoot aimlessly from close range. The ball went far wide.

No goal was scored during the first half, despite numerous attempts by Freedom Birds. Tsimbe Thomoli of Fighters was also reprimanded with a card three minutes into the last half. He obstructed Ambani Mudalahothe, who was on the brink of unleashing just outside the box.

The goal that let Freedom Birds secure a place in the quarterfinal stage of the prestigious tournament came in the 67^th minute. They were awarded a corner kick that was taken by Ambani Mudalahothe.  Murendeni Mudoseni blasted in a rocket, following a scramble within the box.

Young Fighters missed a fortune late in the game. They were awarded a penalty after a defender of Birds handled the ball within the box. Pfunzo Tshikotshi caused an upset by shooting straight to the keeper, who executed a brilliant save.

Date:27 July 2017

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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