In their opening Safa Second Division League match at the Malamulele Stadium on Saturday, Mopani Winners beat Lephalale Young Killers 3-0.

It took the newcomers only two minutes to open their account. Joseph Rapetsoa caught the Killers’ keeper napping and beat him with a close-range volley.

Young Killers lost shape in the middle of the park shortly after the goal. Instead of capitalizing on the setback, the Winners’ strikers caused upset after upset by fumbling at the goal finish. Young Killers regrouped towards the middle of the first half, but it was difficult for them to find their way through the defence of Winners.

Young Killers threatened to score in the 27th minute. The former Black Leopards fast forward, Michael Moloto, beat two Winners defenders and unleashed a volley from the edge of the box. The keeper of Winners braved the shot and palmed the ball away for a corner kick. That was a wake-up call to the players of Winners.

They initiated some promising moves from behind, forcing Young Killers to abandon their positions and play defensive football. The Winners captain, Mpho Masenamela, was a marvel to watch. Masenamela was everywhere, collecting balls from behind and distributing some defence-splitting passes to the strikers.

Masenamela stamped his authority in the 36th minute. He received a beautiful pass from Sipho Matshethe and forced his way through the defence of Young Killers before beating the keeper with a ground cutter. The score remained at 2-0 until the end of the first half, despite numerous attempts by Winners.

Mpho Masenamela of Winners was replaced with Wesley Mkhari earlier in the last half. This after he had sustained an injury to the knee.

Young Killers effected their first change to their starting line-up in the 58th minute. Michael Moloto was replaced with Edwin Seoka. The only player who was reprimanded with a card was Joseph Leratho of Young Killers. He tackled Sipho Matshethe the rough way. Khomotso Masia scored the third in the dying minutes.