Tshakhuma RO United deposited six points into their league account last weekend. They beat the stubborn Mutandani Pull Together 2-0 in their MMK Administrators League match at the Lwamondo Baboon grounds on Saturday.  On Sunday, they beat Ramukhuba Young Brothers 1-0 at the Tshakhuma Malaria grounds.

Saturday’s victory did not come cheaply as the game was evenly contested from the onset. The absence of Khathutshelo Mukomafhedzi in United’s defence during the first 30 minutes of the game was evident. Mukomafhedzi, who arrived late for the game, replaced his younger brother, Rendani Mukomafhedzi, who sustained an injury to the knee in the 28th minute.

The players put it beyond doubt that they were at each other’s throats by displaying their rough skills shortly after the first whistle. The referee, Mr Joseph Mammba, normalized the situation by flashing four yellow cards in quick succession. Lutendo Tshikalange, Ananias Mudau and Ndamulelo Mbengeni, all of Pull Together, and Elvis Netshidongololo of United went into the referee’s book within the first 20 minutes of the game.

United were leading 1-0 when the half-time whistle was blown. Their aggressive striker, Lufuno “CJ” Mugodi, unleashed a powerful volley from the 25-meter area. The keeper of Pull Together, Rendani Masindi, watched helplessly as the ball hit the back of the net. Pull Together introduced Pfunzo Nemutandani and Emmanuel Murwamadala for Moses Mathoma and Lutendo Tshikalanga respectively in the opening minutes of the last half.

Apart from Mukomafhedzi, United replaced Mulisa Luvhengo and Lucky Ndou with Khaiselela Netshivhale and Riane Madzhuta later in the game. United increased the lead in the 78th minute. Lufuno “CJ” Mugodi beat the offside trap and blasted in a rocket from close range. Mugodi sustained an injury to the knee in the process of scoring the goal. He left the pitch and thus forced his team to play the last 12 minutes of the game with 10 men as they had already exhausted their substitution chances at that stage.