Alois Magosha’s 29th-minute goal against Musasenda Big V was good enough to secure a place for his side, Makonde Brazil, in the next stage of the PIB MTG and Black Leopards KO competition match at the Makonde Stadium on Saturday.

The game was played under protest.

Makonde Brazil lodged a protest with the referee before the game kicked off. In their protest letter, Brazil alleged that three Big V players, Thilivhali Mbedzi, Fhatuwani Muthego and Nzumbululo Rambuda, were not properly registered with the team.

The game was characterized by rough tackles. The first player to go into the referee’s book was Vhutshilo Nyamande of Brazil. He tackled Rabelani Mudau from behind and the referee was lenient enough to let him go with yellow. Realizing that the referee had not flashed red to Nyamande, the players of Big V followed suit. Two of them, Edzisani Nevhufumba and Tshilidzi Ramaswiela, were reprimanded with cards in quick succession.

Brazil were awarded a free kick in the 35-meter area in the 29th minute. This after their midfielder, Mulalo Sikhala, was tackled roughly. The team’s captain, Alois Magosha, tried his luck. The keeper of Big V, Vhuhulu Gotho, failed to deal with Magosha’s banana kick, which hit the crossbar and landed behind the goal line.

Big V came back strongly in the second half. The unlimited pressure forced Brazil to abandon their positions and played defensive football. They managed, however, to maintain their lead until the final whistle was blown.