Tshaulu Mighty Powerlines tame the Hungry Lines

In their Tshaulu derby at the Tshifudi Stadium on Sunday, Tshaulu Mighty Powerlines beat their neighbours, Tshaulu Hungry Lions, 2-0 to secure a place in the final of the Boy Nemakonde Soccer Challenge.

Powerlines’ victory did not come easily as the Lions managed to match them pound for pound in all departments from the onset. Powerlines’ killer striker, Ntshuxeko Simango, could not live up to the fans’ expectations as he was tightly marked. Realizing that he was well contained, Simango decided to abandon his position and started to play as a midfielder-cum-striker. He made his presence felt in the 19^th minute. He made no mistake, following a square pass from Ben Makeke.

Realizing that their scoring chances were slim, Hungry Lions strengthened their strikers by replacing Adam Khalushi with his brother, Khumbudzo Khalushi, in the 29^th minute. They came close to scoring five minutes later. Maanda Netshamahala received a neat pass from Vhonani Mbedzi within the box. Instead of unleashing, Netshamahala chose to share his luck with Mutsho Muregu. He shot aimlessly from close range, however, and the ball went far wide.

Powerlines’ overlapping defender, Ntsiruweni Mbedzi, nearly found the net in the 39^th minute. He forced his way through the defence of Hungry Lions and lost possession just before he could unleash. Powerlines enjoyed their 1-0 lead until the proceedings for the first half came to an end.

Hungry Lions did not throw in the towel, despite the fact that they conceded a second goal in the 57^th minute. Simango completed his brace with a long-range ground cutter.

They continued to fight collectively from behind, putting pressure onto the opposition's defence. Isaac Sigidane of Hungry Lions missed a fortune in the 78^th minute. He shot wide from inside the box.

Date:24 June 2016

By: Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

Read: 1022