Maelula New Mates hammered Niani All Stars 5-0 in the final of the Sir Tshiluvhu Auto Page competition played at the Tshikombani Stadium on Saturday.
Mates could have scored more than a dozen goals, had they managed to convert all their chances. They received a free kick in the 10th minute and their demon striker, Moses Nematswerani, was on target after an exciting scramble for the ball within the box. The second and third goals were an hounor to Sheriff Ramabulana and the half-time score was 3-0 in favour of Mates.
The boys from Maelula were dictating terms in all departments, and the midfielder-cum-striker for All Stars, Tshilidzi Tharaga, was booked for wasting time in 47th minute.
Mates were by far a better team in as far as ball possession was concerned. Realising that the odds were against them, the players of Niani started to display rough tactics. The referee, who flashed a yellow card to Moses Maemu, calmed the situation. Another player who went into the referee´s book a little later was David Matshavha, who tackled Livhuwani Makhomu roughly.
Realising that their midfield was weary, the technical department of Stars introduced Mashudu Ndou for Moses Maemu.
Stars took the match to their opponents late in the match. Livhuwani Makhomu scored the fourth goal in the 74th minute. The last goal for Mates was registered by Moses Nematswerani, who completed his brace. This was the result of a corner kick by Sherrif Ramabulana.
Maelula New Mates went home with R11 000, a trophy, new soccer kit and gold medals. The runners-up, Niani All Stars, collected R7 500, a new kit and silver medals. The teams who lost in the semifinals, Mbilwi All Stars and Mutale Vikings, received R5 000 each. The two teams who lost in the quarterfinals, Madombidzha Asernal and Sibasa All Stars, were given R2 500 each.