Tshilulu Young Tigers were unstoppable and thrashed the much-feared Luvhimbi Wanderers 2-0 in their opening match of the MTG Makonde Annual Tournament at Makonde on Sunday.
Wanderers started the game like a house on fire, with their midfielders distributing telling passes to the goal poachers. Their original fighting spirit, however, faded with time.
Tigers took the game to Wanderers as the first half crossed the halfway mark. They threatened to score twice in quick succession, but their strikers were unfortunate. In the first instance Victor Nemadzivhanani went loose from the right corner and tried his luck with a volley from the edge of the box. The ball hit the side net and landed outside the field of play for a goal kick.
Lufuno Mulondo suffered the pain of watching his half volley going a little wide moments later.
Tigers opened their account in the 37th minute. Moses Mutwanamba beat the offside trap and ran straight towards the keeper before unleashing a half volley from the 20-meter area. The keeper of Wanderers, Sarel Thambatshira, palmed the ball back into the net in an attempt to clear.
Young Tigers enjoyed the 1-0 lead until the end of the first half. Although Wanderers were out of touch for the better part of the last half, their midfielder, Ondwela Sivhidzho, remained a live wire.
Doctor Muhali of Wanderers was the only player who was reprimanded with a card. He tackled Edzisani Nemafhohoni from behind, but the referee was lenient enough not to let him see red.
Wanderers lost hope after Young Tigers scored their second goal in the 75th minute. Victor Nemadzivhanani blasted in a rocket from inside the box, following a cramble within the Wanderers' danger area. Tigers played defensive football for the remaining part of the game.