Embarrassing defeat for Madridtas

Solly Seopela of Polokwane (front) and Thuso Nevhufumba of Madridtas chase the ball.

Embarrassing defeat for Madridtas

Madridtas FC started the new year on a bad note, following their 1-3 defeat at the hands of Polokwane United in their ABC Motsepe League match at the Tshifudi Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors from the capital city made their intentions clear from the onset. They took the lead five minutes into the game. Their overlapping defender, Khalirendwe Byanya, caught the Madridtas keeper, Thuso Nevhufumba, napping with a long-range volley. As if he were a spectator, Nevhufumba watched helplessly as the ball hit the back of the net.

Lutendo Mulaudzi, the Madridtas centre back, was booked for dangerous play in the 14^th minute. He tackled Jabulani Kekana from behind and the referee, Mr Fhulufhelo Masindi, was lenient enough not to let him see red.

Madridtas’s solitary goal came in the 19^th minute. Their slender striker, Idani Nelufule, was brought down within the box. That prompted the referee to award a penalty in favour of the home side. Idani Nelufule got up and tried his luck from the penalty spot. He made no mistake.

The goal seemed to have been an insult to the visitors. They reclaimed the lead nine minutes towards half time. They were awarded a free kick in the 25-meter area. Edson Mokwana beat the keeper with a half volley from the free kick to bring the half-time score to 2-1.

The keeper of United, Gilbert Kgopa, was booked for wasting time. Madridtas lost hope after their defender, Lutendo Mulaudzi, was given his marching orders for dangerous play in the 76^th minute.

United put matters beyond doubt when Khalirendwe Byanya completed his brace five minutes before the final whistle.

Thuso Nevhufumba of Madridtas controls the ball.

Date:18 January 2018

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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