Matika too strong for Barcelona

Matika FC beat Tshiozwi Barcelona 3-1 in a Fresh One league match at Gogobole on Sunday.

Barcelona created several promising moves from behind in the opening minutes, but their strikers let them down by shooting aimlessly. Their overlapping midfielder, Rinae Khorommbi, had his chance in the 10^th minute. He received a good pass from Tendani Muraga but shot wide from just outside the box.

A corner kick in the 25^th minute resulted in a scramble within the box and Phindulo Mabasa scored the only goal for Barcelona with a beautiful shot.

The visitors from Tshikota (Matika) equalized in the 39^th minute via Benjamin Ndou. In the 40^th minute, Matika’s  striker, Sidingo Chuma, tried his luck from the edge of the box. His volley hit the crossbar and bounced out of the field of play for a goal kick. That did not kill their fighting spirit as they continued to play like a united team.

They were rewarded with a goal in the 44^th minute. Tshepo Denga was on target, following a mix-up within the box.

Barcelona lost cohesion in the middle of the park after the goal. Things turned against Barcelona in the second half when their right back, Luvhengo Negota, was given a red card for a second bookable offence. That did not stop Matika from scoring their third goal.  Benjamin Ndou completed his brace and sent the keeper the wrong way, after beating the offside trap in the 76^th minute.

Date:22 June 2018

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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