Manamani Black Snake booked a place in the next stage of the prestigious MTG Soccer Challenge KO Competition by beating Lwamondo United Brothers 2-1 at the Duthuni Mandalale grounds on Saturday.
United Brothers, or Baboon as they are commonly known, committed suicide by leaving the Snakes' danger man, Dakalo Matombo, unmarked most of the time. He was the thorn in the flesh of the defenders of United Brothers, collecting balls from behind and distributing some to the front runners, while at the same time playing as a striker.
Referee Mashudu Netshiluvhi flashed the first yellow card nine minutes into the game. Vuledzani Mulaudzi of United Brothers was booked for a late tackle on Sedzani Ramanugu. In the 19th minute, Black Snake scored their first goal. Dakalo Matombo tried his luck from outside the penalty area with a volley. The ball hit the crossbar and bounced across the goal line.
Black Snake continued to dominate after the goal, but they were not lucky enough to increase the margin before the end of the first half. United Brothers strengthened their striking force by introducing Shumani Mashapha for Rendani Makwayi four minutes into the last half.
The keeper of United Brothers, Takalani Nethonzhe, denied Black Snake's strikers numerous sure goals. Khathu Mathuba of Black Snake unleashed a volley from the edge of the box in the 59th minute. Nethonzhe made his presence felt when he stretched to the limit to pull off a brilliant save.
Brothers found the equalizer in the 64th minute. Kenny Mukwevho beat the offside trap and blasted in a ground cutter from inside the box. Black Snake snatched the winner six minutes before the final whistle. Thina Ratshilivha gave the ball a final touch after a scramble within the box.