Narrow victory for Happy Boys

In their Thulamela Local Football Association League match at the Muungamunwe Grounds on Sunday, Muungamunwe Happy Boys narrowly beat Makakavhale Shooting Stars 1-0.

The game was characterized by wasted scoring opportunities. The keeper of Shooting Stars, Phathutshedzo Mudau, was the busiest player in the first half. He saved numerous sure goals.

Mudau made his presence felt in the 10^th minute. Talifhani Nesindande of Happy Boys beat the offside trap and unleashed a half volley from the edge of the box. Mudau braved the shot and palmed the ball away for a corner kick.

The referee, Mr Ronewa Mabalane, flashed the first yellow card in the 19^th minute. Khumbelo Mamuthamani of Shooting Stars tackled Thabelo Mudau from behind and the referee was quick to flash yellow. Happy Boys threatened to score again in the 29^th minute. Riaurenda Mudau was unlucky when his half volley missed the target by inches. Thama Maluleke of Happy Boys was also reprimanded with a card, following a late tackle on Mashudu Mukwevho.

Happy Boys effected three changes to their starting 11 early in the last half. They introduced Khathutshelo Sibubuni, Khaudale Mangenge and Thabelo Nenngwekhulu for Thabelo Mudau, Tenda Vhumbani and Hazewell Mbombi respectively.

The captain of Shooting Stars, Dowelani Belemu, found himself on the wrong side of the football laws in the 67^th minute. He obstructed Talifhani Nesindande and the referee took no time before flashing yellow.

The goal through which the boys were separated from the men came in the 76^th minute. Thama Maluleke blasted in a rocket from the 20-meter area. The keeper of Shooting Stars watched helplessly as the ball hit the back of the net.

The keeper of Happy Boys, Khuliso Mugivhi, was cautioned with a card for wasting time towards the end of the game.

Date:07 June 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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