Unlike last season, where they started the season by losing their first five matches, Rospa United proved all the critics wrong by holding Basel FC to a 1-1 in their Promotional Second Division League match at the Malamulele Stadium on Saturday.
As underdogs, Rospa United spent the first 20 minutes playing defensive football and relying mostly on the counterattacks. After realising that there was nothing to fear, United took the game to their opponents. Their captain, Eddy Mathonsi, led by example as he continued to distribute dangerous passes to the front runners.
The Basel killer striker, Walter "West" Ramulondi, could not live up to the fans' expectations as he was tightly marked. A heartbreaking scramble just outside the penalty box in the 29th minute gave rise to the United goal. Hlamulo Simango caught the Basel keeper, Aluwani Nemakhavhani, napping. He unleashed a volley from the edge of the box and Nemakhavhani watched helplessly as the ball hit the crossbar before landing inside the net.
The referee, Mr Roy Mulaudzi, booked Sphamandla Busakwe of Basel and Ndumeliso Mabulele of United for exchanging swearing at each other three minutes before half time.
Basel were the first to effect some changes to their starting line-up. They introduced Lebogang Sithole and Lucky Mkhari for Kgwabentwa Langa and Matimba Rikhotso respectively. That was the turning point of the game as Basel became unstoppable soon afterwards. They were rewarded with a goal for their endless efforts. Velile Mdaka delivered a brilliant great cross from the right corner. The keeper of United, Mxolisi Ncube, fumbled with the ball and Walter Ramulondi, who was waiting next tot the goal line, gave the ball a final touch to bring the final score to 1-1.