TSHIFULANANI – The enthusiastic fans of Thusano Crystal Palace left the Tshifulanani grounds with smiling faces after their team beat P&L Mighty Rock Football Club in the finals of the Mvelaphanda Youth Soccer Tournament on Monday.

Mighty Rock dominated in the middle of the park in as far as ball possession was concerned. Their centre half, Jury Nemaangani, kept on distributing dangerous balls to the frontrunners who fumbled at the goal finish.

The right back for Mighty Rock, Mzamani Shirindi, was booked for faking an injury in the 18th minute. The opening goal for Palace was scored in the 24th minute. Eric Masala tried his luck from the 25 metre area and the keeper of Mighty Rock, Nditsheni Ravhura misjudged the flight of the ball and the suffered the pain of watching it go beyond his reach.

Mighty Rock introduced Eric Nethonzhe for Lufuno Netshamutavha towards the end of the first half. The replacement proved to be a fortuitous move on the part of their technical staff. They found the equalizer via Emmanuel Vhangani three minutes into the last stage.

A substitute for Palace, Derick Madzivhandila, was cautioned with a card for rough tackling on Takalani Mulaudzi. Daniel Nemataheni was on target in the 66th minute. A defender of Mighty Rock, Mzamani Shirindi, was given his marching orders for a second bookable offense. He had obstructed Humbulani Ramaano.