Phungo All Stars proved all their critics wrong when they rose to the occasion and beat one of the favourites for the league title, Nobela All Stars, 3-0 in their Vodacom Promotional League match at the FNB Makwarela Stadium on Saturday.

The game was played under protest. Nobela All Stars lodged a protest with the referee before the kickoff. In the protest, Nobela alleged that one of the midfielders for Phungo, Brian Mavhungu, was not properly registered with the team. That did not affect the team’s performance, as Phungo took the game to their opponents from the first whistle.

It was in the 24th minute when Phungo broke the deadlock. Ivan Mahangwahaya caught the keeper of Nobela napping and beat him with a ground cutter.

The striker of Nobela, Thembisani Nevhulamba, could not live up to the fans’ expectations as he was well contained.  Justice Rasebotse, who scored a brace in the game, made his presence felt in the 29th minute. He beat three defenders in a row before showing the keeper the wrong way.

The captain of Phungo, Brian Mavhungu, was reprimanded with a card for a dangerous tackle on Lebo Masena. Nobela were the first to effect a change to their starting lineup. They replaced Lucky Shoba for Sydwell Ritsuri three minutes before the break.

The last half saw Phungo continue from where they left off in the first one. Justice Rasebotse completed his brace in the 67th minute. He finished off a rebound after Sifiso Masena’s close range attempt. Phungo fortified their midfield by introducing Hulisani Mathugana for Brian Mavhungu later in the game.