Ablex United held the Safa Limpopo ABC Motsepe league contenders, Mikhado FC, to a goalless draw at the Louis Trichardt Show Grounds on Saturday.
Ablex played entertaining football from the onset, but their strikers were unlucky. Tumelo Monyanda, Ablex's right flank, missed an opportunity in the 10th minute. After he beat two defenders in a row, he shot aimlessly from inside the box. The ball went far wide, much to the disappointment of the team's fans.
Ablex soon realised that it would be a difficult day at the office when their leading goal scorer, Mpho Mavhandu, fumbled at the goal finish. He received a neat pass from Percival Tlou within the box and shot wide with the stranded keeper, Rudzani Mmbengeni, already beaten. Tlou committed another blunder a little later. This time around, he failed to connect Madimetja Ndlovu's square pass.
Thulani Mabizela, Mikhado' centre back, was lucky to get away with a yellow card. He obstructed Marubini Manyane at the edge of the box in a one-on-one situation, denying Manyane what could have been a goal. The referee did the unexpected when he flashed a yellow card at a time when most of the fans thought he would give Mabizela his marching orders.
Mikhado threatened to score for the first time in the 47th minute. Aluwani Nedzamba received a beautiful pass from his teammate, Bornwise Malobo, and unleashed aimlessly from close range.
Phathutshedzo Tshambeya of Mikhado won a loose ball from the left corner in the 68th minute. He ran a few steps towards the goals before beating the keeper. He caused an upset, however, when his shot hit the woodwork and landed outside the field of play for a goal kick.