1-1 draw for Mikhado and Madridtas

In their ABC Motsepe League match at the Rabali Stadium on Saturday, Mikhado FC shared the spoils with Madridtas FC, following their 1-1 draw. The game was played at a see-saw pace, with both sides creating and wasting their scoring chances. The visitors from Polokwane enjoyed ball possession in the first 15 minutes.

At that stage, the home side were chasing the action in all departments. Rofhiwa Tshikovhi, Mikhado’s former Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) centre back, was the first player to go into the referee’s book. He handled the ball intentionally and the referee, Mr Fhulufhelo Masindi, was lenient enough not to let him see red.

Realizing that there was nothing to fear, the coach of Madridtas, Mr Joel Mongalo, moved one midfielder to aid the strikers. That proved to be a clever move on the part of the team’s technical staff as Mikhado started to play with their backs against the wall. Madridtas were awarded a free kick in the 30-meter area after Robert Mogale was brought down.

Victor Mafokoane beat the Mikhado keeper, Amon Phophi, with a half volley from the free kick. Vutomi Ngomana, Mikhado's lethal striker, tackled Freddy Seloane from behind and he was cautioned with a card four minutes before the half-time whistle.

Mikhado effected three changes to their starting lineup in the last half. They replaced Lucky Mkhari, Mafunisa Sidimela and Thabang Setati with Rendani Thavhana, Akani Maluleke and Ndamulelo Mngadi respectively. The complexion of the game changed completely after the replacements as Mikhado started to dictate terms in the middle of the park.

Mikhado found the equalizer through Rendani Thavhana in the 69^th minute. Thavhana was unlucky in the 78^th minute when he went loose and shot wide with the keeper already beaten.

Date:21 February 2019

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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