Khubvi African Stars will not take part in the quarterfinal stage of the Mulindavhathu Soccer Challenge. This follows their 1-4 defeat at the hands of MT Green Mambas in their final round-robin match at the Khubvi Tshiseluselu grounds on Sunday.

Mambas meant business from the onset, with their strikers giving the Stars’ defence no time to breathe. Mambas broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Zwivhuya Sikhwari received a beautiful pass from Thomas Matodzi and blasted in a rocket from the edge of the box. The goal was a wake-up call to the players of African Stars. They started to initiate some promising moves from behind, but it was only for some moments as their stamina faded with time.

Mambas continued to play collectively, creating some dangerous moves as they crossed the halfway mark. That forced African Stars to abandon their positions and play defensive football.

They were severely punished for that. Green Mambas increased the margin in the 27th minute. Russel Munyai broke loose from the right corner and beat the keeper with a half volley. Stars’ solitary goal came in the 37th minute. Ofhani Mudau found the net with a ground cutter after a scramble within the box. Green Mambas were leading 2-1 at the end of the first half.

Mambas frustrated Stars with their dribbling skills and consequently Stars chased the action for the better part of the last half. They increased the margin via Israel Mukununde in the 64th minute. Mukununde received a neat pass from Itani Sikhipha inside the box and sent the keeper the wrong way.

Israel Mukununde was on target again in the 86th minute with a ground cutter to bring the final score to 4-1.