Home Defenders give points to Stars

Makhitha Oscar Stars beat Mpheni Home Defenders 2-1 in an MMK Administrators league match at the Mpheni grounds on Sunday.

Both sides played attacking football in the first half, making the match entertaining to watch. Defenders had their first regret in the fifth minute. Thabo Matuba missed a golden opportunity  when he shot wide. The absence of the Defenders' playmaker, Aaron Lisoga, was evident from the onset as there was no one to win and distribute balls from the middle of the park.

Isaac Makhuvha of Defenders was reprimanded with a card for dangerous play on Lucky Funyufunyu six minutes into the game. Stars' speedy striker, Leavy Machaba, shot aimlessly from close range. No goal was scored in the first half.

Stars brought on Itani Selota for Lucky Funyufunyu. This introduction changed the complexion of the match due to his distributing telling passes to the strikers. Stars' fast forward, Khulani Maringa, won the ball just behind the centre line and ran towards the right corner from where he dished up a square pass to Takalani Mbekwa. He beat the Defenders' keeper, Carlton Munyai, with a ground cutter to give his side a 1-0 lead.

Defenders introduced Ashean Monyeolote and he scored the solitary goal of his team in the 79^th minute to equalize. Lufuno Dzhivhuli pulled back Itani Selota of Stars on his way to score and the referee pointed to the white spot. Khulani Maringa of Stars converted the penalty late in the game.

Sport - Date: 19 January 2017

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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