Mpheni Home Defenders beat Mukula Young Santos 3-0 in the final of the Gwede Mantashe Soccer Tournament at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.

Defenders made their intentions pretty clear from the onset. Their striking force, marshaled by Emmanuel Mphephu, Aron Liswoga and Melvi Mabutha, forced the Santos defence to work overtime throughout the game. A clearing error in the fourth minute gave rise to the Home Defenders’ opening goal. Melvi Mabutha pounced on the ball to beat the keeper with a volley.

The technical staff of Home Defenders were forced to effect an early change to their starting line-up after Rendani Ncube sustained a knee injury in the 11th minute. He was replaced with Moses Liswoga.

The referee, Mr Mulalo Mubva, flashed the first yellow card in the 24th minute. Vusani Nendauni of Young Santos was lucky to escape with a mere caution after tackling Mpho Rambau from behind. Realizing that their scoring chances were slim, Young Santos strengthened their striking force by introducing Pfarelo Ndou for Ndolivhuwa Nthambeleni.

Santos came back strongly in the last half. They squandered two scoring opportunities within a short space of time. In the 54th minute, Japhta Mulaudzi went loose and shot wide from inside the box. Tshimangadzo Managa committed a similar blunder moments thereafter.

Home Defenders abandoned their positions and relied on counter-attacks. The strategy worked for them as they increased the margin in the 69th minute. Lufuno Dzhivhuli scored with a long-range volley. Santos lost hope after the Defenders’ second goal. Dakalo Nwanamidwa beat the offside trap and scored the third in the 79th minute.

Rabelani Dala of Young Santos was given his marching orders for dangerous play late in the game.