Basel FC beat Rospa United 2-1 in a Safa second division league match at the Makwarela Stadium on Saturday.

The absence of the Rospa United’s playmaker, Marks Munyai, was evident from the onset as there was no one to win and distribute balls from the middle of the park to the goal poachers. Zanempi Methula of Rospa United was reprimanded with a card for dangerous play on Thabo Diale six minutes into the game.

Basel were the first to effect a change to their starting 11. They replaced Lamon Mokeketwa with Lucky Mkhari in the 20th minute. United missed a fortune five minutes later. Their captain, Mashudu “Tlolo” Mashapha, caused an upset when he shot aimlessly from close range. The score board was still blank at the end of the first 45 minutes, despite numerous attempts from both sides.

Basel broke the deadlock in the 58th minute. The former Black Leopards fast forward, Walter Ramulondi, won the ball just behind the centre line and ran towards the right corner from where he dished up a square pass to Shonisani Rambebu. Rambebu beat the United keeper, Tembe Maweni, with a ground cutter to give his side a 1-0 lead.

Rambebu was later replaced with Godfrey Mahlale. Basel increased the tally in the 67th minute. Lucky Mkhari blasted in a rocket, following a square pass from Velile Mdaka.

Rospa United introduced Khomotso Matimela and Jacob Hlanze for Kenneth Lesia and the team’s captain, Mashudu Mashapha, respectively. Their solitary goal came in the 79th minute. Zanempi Methula beat the keeper with a volley. Oscar Silima of United was booked for an infringement on Thabo Diale towards the end of the game.