Giyani Hotspurs proved to be too hot for Rospa United, when they narrowly beat them 1-0 in a Safa Second Division match at the Giyani Stadium on Saturday.

Rospa gave the home side no time to breathe as they approached the game aggressively with their playmaker, Marks Munyai, distributing defence-splitting passes from time to time. Realising that it would be difficult for them to cope with the tempo of the game, the coach of Hotspurs, Mr Dennis “Ghost” Madzimbane, instructed his players to cool the game down, while studying the opponents’ weak and strong points.

The referee, Mr Jelly Chabane, reprimanded Ndumeliso Mabulele of United with a card for a repeated infringement on Lesley Malungani. Hotspurs gained momentum with time and started to make some threatening moves from behind. Things turned against United towards the end of the first half. At that stage, Hotspurs were unstoppable and creating dangerous moves in the middle of the park.

The keeper of United, Thembe Maweni, denied Hotspurs a goal in the 38th minute. He stretched to the limit to execute a brilliant save after Thabo Ngomane tried his luck from the 25-meter area. Sydney Maluleke of Hotspurs was also booked for ignoring the referee’s whistle in the 58th minute. Maluleke kicked the ball away long after the referee had blown the whistle for an offside.

Hotspurs took the lead when the keeper of United, Thembe Maweni, abandoned his position and advanced out of the penalty area. Nhlamulo Maluleke of Hotspurs caught him napping and scored with a volley. United lost hope after the Spurs’ goal.