Gift Ramaxwaila was a marvel to watch when his team, Basel FC, beat Phungo All Stars 2-0 in their Safa Second Division League match at the Makwarela Stadium on Saturday.

Ramaxwaila scored a brace to give his side a well-deserved victory.

Basel frustrated their opponents by tackling them hard in the opening minutes. The referee, Mr Olani Kwinda, did not just stand by when Basel broke the rules. He flashed two yellow cards, in the 14th and 19th minute respectively. Kgomotso Kgasogo was the first player to go into the referee’s book. He tackled Dion Phiri from behind and Kwinda was quick to produce yellow. The situation was normalised after Kwinda flashed another yellow card to Khaukanani Malwela for a dangerous tackle on Thulani Xaba.

The Basel fans waited 25 minutes to see their team’s first goal. Ramaxwaila received a beautiful pass from Shonisani Rambebu and beat one defender before unleashing a powerful shot that looked too hot for the Stars’ keeper, Job Miya, to handle.

All Stars were the first to effect a change to their starting 11. They sacrificed Thulani Xaba for Teddy Mauvhelwana towards the end of the first half. Basel responded by replacing Shonisani Rambebu with Lucky Mkhari.

Gift Ramaxwaila was on target again in the 40th minute. He gave the ball the final touch, following a scramble within the box. Realizing that Ramaxwaila was fast becoming harmless, the coach of Basel, Mr Justice Mtileni, replaced him with Velile Mdaka. Mdaka played for only 12 minutes before he was replaced with Louis Chauke.

Hulisani Mathugana of All Stars was cautioned with a card in the dying minutes.