Joe’s Express are the Nedbank Cup Regional champions. They beat Phungo All Stars 2-0 in the final at the Makwarela Stadium on Sunday.

Express took advantage of their tall strikers and played high balls from behind to the goal poachers. They managed to frustrate the opponents with this pattern of play. The Stars’ midfielders, Hulisani Mathugana and Marks Munyai, were more like spectators in the first half as the balls were going over their heads.

The Stars came close to scoring in the 14th minute. Their left-footed striker, Stemmer Aphane, received a neat pass from Marks Munyai and caused an upset. Instead of taking his time and picking spot, Aphane shot aimlessly from the edge of the box with the Express keeper, Rotshidzwa Muleka, already beaten.

Muleka made his presence felt moments thereafter. He stretched to the limit to execute a brilliant save when everyone thought it was a sure goal. He palmed the ball away for a corner kick. The game was 19 minutes old when Express opened their account. The former Mukula Young Santos bulldozer-striker, Rendani “Zebe” Madega, went loose from the right corner and scored from an awkward angle.

Phumudzo Ramango of All Stars was the first player to go into the referee’s book. He tackled Nndateni Netshitadi from behind and the referee was quick to flash yellow. Phungo All Stars introduced Justice Rasebotse for Solomzi Nyoniyandiza in the 28th minute. The replacement was not good enough to stop Express from scoring their second goal. Thembisani Nevhulamba capitalized on an error in defence and beat the keeper with a volley.

The coach of Express, Mr Edwin “Cafu” Ramphabana, was forced to replace his team’s captain, Lucas Mashau, early in the last half. Mashau collided head-on with Mthokozisi Masuku and couldn’t continue with the match.

A defender of Joe’s Express, Ndivhuwo Ravhuhali, handled the ball within his own penalty box. That prompted the referee to award a penalty to Stars. Justice Rasebotse could not believe his eyes when the Express keeper, Rotshidzwa Muleka, braved the shot and pulled off a great save. Express later replaced their first goal scorer, Rendani Madega, with Rofhiwa Mabila in a bid to solidify their striking force.