Young Tigers maul The Angel

Mashishi Young Tigers are still in a celebratory mood, following their 3-1 victory over Lurangwe The Angel in their semifinal match of the MTG KO competition at the Khubvi Benjies grounds on Saturday.

The Tigers’ bulldozer striker, Nkhumeleni “Swilo” Murena, was a marvel to watch in the game and scored a brace.

It took Young Tigers nine minutes to take the lead. Nkhumeleni Murena received a neat pass from Thendo Matsheketsheke and dribbled past two defenders before unleashing a powerful ground cutter. Pfano Mudau of The Angel was reprimanded with a card in the 18^th minute, following a continued argument with the referee.

The Angel committed suicide by playing aerial balls from behind, even though their midfielders were shorter than their opponents. Young Tigers increased the margin in the 24^th minute. Nkhumeleni Murena beat the offside trap and blasted in a rocket from the edge of the box.

The Angel fought back, and shortly before the half-time whistle, Azwitamisi Radzilani went loose from the right corner before beating the keeper with a half volley.

Oriel Mulovhedzi of The Angel was booked for dangerous play three minutes into the last half. Young Tigers started to play defensive football to protect their lead. Instead of putting more pressure on the opponents by adding numbers to their strikers, The Angel blundered by maintaining their original pattern.

Young Tigers abandoned their key positions and packed themselves at the far back and relied mostly on counter-attacks. Young Tigers put the matter beyond doubt in the 76^th minute. Thendo Matsheketsheke gave the ball a final touch, following a scramble within The Angel’s danger area.

The Angel effected two changes later in the game, but that did not change the complexion of the game.

Date:14 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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