In their opening SAB League match at the Maranzhe grounds on Saturday (27 August), Maranzhe Hungry Lions were too good for Vhembe FET College FC and beat them 2-0.

The victory did not reflect the game in general as Lions outsmarted the visitors from the onset. The students from the local training college were lucky not to concede half a dozen of goals during the first half, as they were out of touch in all departments.

Hungry Lions missed two clear chances in the first 10 minutes. Firstly, Lutendo Nemutshetoni made an unforgettable blunder when he shot wide from close range after receiving a neat pass from Thivhavhudzi Ndou in the 4th minute. As if that was not enough to stir up the fans, Thivhavhudzi Ndou caused another upset three minutes thereafter. Instead of relaxing on the ball and trying other possible ways, Ndou chose to release aimlessly from outside the box, much to the disappointment of the team’s supporters.

Hungry Lions finally broke the deadlock in the 18th minute. It was their left flank, Lutendo Nemutshetoni, who made things happen. His long-range ground cutter left the FET keeper, Mpho Musetsho, flat-footed.

The visitors lost cohesion and Hungry Lions capitalised on this by scoring their second goal three minutes before the half-time whistle.

Both sides effected two changes in the last half. The replacements worked against the visitors as they played the last stanza with their backs against the wall. Thivhavhudzi Ndou and Lutendo Nemutshetoni missed sitters in the dying minutes.