The 3-1 victory of Joe Express at the expense of Giyani Hotspurs in their Safa Second Division League match at the Makwarela Stadium on Sunday was not a true reflection of the game.

Express were by far the better side when it came to ball possession. Joe Express pressed hard in search of early goals, but their strikers were unlucky. Their veteran striker, Edwin “Cafu” Ramphabana, soon realized that it was not this day when he missed two clear scoring chances within 10 minutes.

In the first instance, Ramphabana received a neat pass from Thembisani Nevhulamba and shot wide from within the penalty area. As if that was not good enough upset the team’s fans, Ramphabana wasted another scoring opportunity in the ninth minute. This time he could not believe his eyes when his ground cutter missed the goal mouth by inches.

The home side finally opened their account in the 26th minute. Hymer Munyai headed home, following a corner kick that was taken by Lucas Mashau. Hotspurs did not just stand aside and look on after the goal; instead, they regrouped from behind and initiated some defence-splitting moves from the middle of the park.  Their solitary goal came in the 37th minute. Their captain, Marvelous Makwakwa, beat the offside trap and scored easily.

Express replaced Dzivhuluwani Simba with Laymond Muleya in a bid to strengthen their striking force early in the last half. Their overlapping defender, Ndivhuwo Ravhuhali, scored from a free kick in the 57th minute.

Thembisani Nevhulamba of Express was warned with a card for wasting time. Hotspurs introduced Mbuso Mthombeni and Musa Rikhotso for Kulani Zitha and Bongani Vuma respectively. Marvelous Makwakwa of Hotspurs missed a sitter in the 74th minute. He shot straight to the keeper after receiving a brilliant pass from Lesley Malungani within the box. Edwin Ramphabana scored the third for Express after a rebound later in the game.