Rockers FC secured a place in the regional final of the MMK Funeral Services promotional play-off matches by crushing Thula M2 5-2 in their last round-robin match at the Makwarela Stadium on Sunday.

Thula displayed entertaining football, despite the fact that they were already out of the race to the regional final. Rockers did not panic although they knew that a draw in that match would do them more harm than good. Had Rockers drawn in the match, Muziafera Blue Eagles would have been through to the final.

Rockers broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. Mulalo Kudzingana forced his way through the defence of Thula and scored an easy goal from close range. Hulisani Thanyani was on target in the 18th minute to make it 2-0. Thula pulled one back three minutes before the break. Lioyd Ndhuma tried his luck from outside the penalty box with a volley. Ndivhuwo Musie, the Rockers’ keeper, could only watch the ball hit the back of the net to bring the half-time score to 2-1.

Rockers put matters beyond doubt in the 47th minute. Mulalo Kudzingana completed his brace by beating the keeper with a ground cutter, following a neat pass by Ntsieni Nengovhela.

Both sides effected two changes to their starting lineups in the last half. The keeper of Thula, Mashudu Nemakhavhani, mishandled the ball while trying to palm it away. Mashudu Siobo capitalized to score his team’s fourth goal. Thula did not give in without a fight, though. They continued to initiate some promising moves from behind until they reduced the margin via Hector Mathebula in the 78th minute. Khethani Gabara, the Thula defender, deflected the ball back into his own net with a header while trying to clear, thus causing an own goal in the dying minutes.