Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) are still battling to come to terms with the 0-4 defeat they suffered at the hands of Highlands Park in their National First Division League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.
As if they were hypnotized, TTM were chasing the action from the onset to the end. Given Msimango, the Park's midfielder, was the first player to go into the referee's book. He tackled Khunadi Nkoana from behind and the referee, Mr Phelelani Ndaba, was quick to flash yellow.
The absence of TTM's dribbling wizard, Mpambaniso Monde, was evident as there was no one to hold onto the ball and challenge the opposition defence. It took the visitors 28 minutes to open their account. Their slender striker, Sphiwe Mahlangu, dispossessed TTM's defender, Mahlatse Mhlabine, just outside the box and beat the keeper with a half volley.
Realizing that their veteran midfielder, David Mathebula, was out of form, TTM replaced him with Thabiso Maitsapo three minutes later. The move was not enough to stop Park from scoring their second goal in the 37th minute. Mothobi Mvala tried his luck with a long-range ground cutter. Bongani Manavhela, the TTM keeper, watched helplessly as the ball hit the back of the net.
TTM effected their second change in the 54th minute, when they introduced Nurzard Pail for Bongani Nyathi, but the visitors continued to dominate in the last half.
They increased the margin in the 64th minute when their speedy forward, Sabelo Nyembe, beat the offside trap and blasted in a rocket. Highlands Park put matters beyond any doubt in the 84th minute when Peter Shalulile hooked in the ball, following a scramble within the box.