Hundreds of supporters for Rospa United, who watched their team’s game against Modimolle Aces at the Tshifulanani Stadium last Saturday, left the stadium with sore hearts, following their team’s 0-2 defeat.

Although United’s slender striker, Mashudu Mashapha, was out of touch, the team’s technical staff allowed him to play for the whole match.  Mashapha demonstrated to everyone that it was not his day when he caused an upset in the 14th minute. He dispossessed an Aces defender and shot astray from the edge of the box, much to the disappointment of the team’s fans.

The referee, Mr Jelly Chavani, remained silent at the time when everyone thought he would award United an indirect free kick outside the box. This was after Mashudu Mashapha was brought down. Realising that the referee was not concerned about the infringement, Meshack Maphangule approached him angrily, accusing him of favouritism. He was reprimanded with a yellow card.

The game lost its original tempo towards the end of the first half. The second half saw the visitors from the Waterberg District play more attacking football. They scored their first goal in the 67th minute. Their Rastafarian midfielder, Johannes Monene, made a sharp turn after receiving a neat pass from Patrick Nkomo and unleashed a ground cutter. Mashudu Mashapha of United missed another fortune in the 74th minute. His half volley hit the side net with the keeper already beaten.

Carswell Mabasa of United left the pitch after sustaining an injury. He was replaced with Isaac Makhuvha. Aces increased the margin through Freddy Hlongwane. He capitalised on Ntsieni Makhado’s clearing error and scored an easy goal in the dying minutes.