Rospa United booked a place in the next stage of the Rospa Winter Challenge by beating Sundani City Rovers 2-0 in their opening match at the Vuwani Mandani grounds on Sunday.

As if they were campaigning in the same division, City Rovers managed to match their elder brothers pound for pound in all departments. The referee, Mr Eric Munyai, flashed the first yellow card in the 14th minute. Azwi Mulaudzi of City Rovers tackled Oscar Silima from behind and that was reason enough for the referee to reprimand him with a yellow.

No goals were scored in the first half. Things turned against City Rovers after United introduced three new faces early in the second half. United replaced Justice Mabunda, Bongani Mthombeni and Adolph Nkhumane with Mmbengeni Mahosi, Marks Munyai and Ndumeliso Mabulele respectively.

City Rovers committed suicide by abandoning their original playing pattern and started to set offside traps. It worked against them as they conceded the first goal a few moments later. Pfunzo Dzuguda beat the offside trap and scored easily.

City Rovers responded by introducing Ntingeni Mudau and Vuledzani Mashadzha for Zwivhuya Ndwammbi and Awelani Ngwana in the 76th minute. That was not good enough to stop Rospa, who scored the second via Marks Munyai six minutes before the final whistle.