A last-minute goal by Emelda Khosa was good enough to secure Phaphazela Real Hexagon a place in the final of the PIB MTG and Black Leopards KO Competition. They narrowly beat Mulindathavha Ocean Swallows 1-0 in the semifinal at Makonde on Sunday.

Ocean Swallows used their height advantage to win the aerial balls from behind. Instead of playing carpet football when they were in possession, Hexagon committed the blunder of volleying the balls in the middle of the field.

Ocean Swallows had nobody else to blame for the defeat as they squandered numerous scoring chances throughout the game. Their first player to cause an upset was Israel Mudau. He received a pre-cooked pass from Musa Ramukumba just outside the box in the 19th minute. Instead of picking the spot and unleashing quickly, Ramukumba held onto the ball for far too long until he lost possession. Fhatuwani Muthego committed an unforgettable blunder a little later. He shot wide from the edge of the box with the keeper already beaten.

The only time Hexagon threatened to score was when Nickel Mabasa shot aimlessly from close range towards the end of the first half. Both sides effected some changes to their starting lineups earlier in the last half, but that did not change the complexion of the game.

Things turned against Swallows when Hexagon were awarded a free kick outside the box in the referee’s optional time. Emelda Khosa caught the Swallows keeper, Phathutshedzo Netshamutshedzi, napping and beat him with a volley and sealed the game.