Mpheni Home Defenders beat the up-and-coming Makhitha Yellow Birds 1-0 in a local MMK Administrators league match at Makhitha on Sunday.
Defenders threatened to score in the early minutes when Tshilidzi Serovha forced his way through the defence of Birds before passing to Dakalo Nwanamidwa. His attempt missed the target by inches.
Birds realised that Defenders were all over them and abandoned their positions and packed themselves at the far back. The spectators, officials and players where surprised when the referee, Mr Stewart Mathekgana, red-carded one of the referee assistants, Jeron Kutama, accusing him of applying favouritism.
The second half saw Birds pressing hard in search of a goal. Itani Dzhabuli of Birds dribbled past three defenders in a row but shot wide when left with only the keeper to beat. Chungu Sitelele, the Birds' right flank, missed an opportunity in the 49th minute after he beat two of the opponents' defenders in a row, only to cause dismay by shooting aimlessly from inside the box. The ball went far wide, much to the disappointment of the team's fans.
Muvhulawa Rambuda and France Lethole of Birds were cautioned with yellow cards for different infringements. Shaft "Lafour" Mafunisa of Defenders scored the only goal of the match in the 74th minute. He unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that beat the keeper of Birds, Engedzani Musihana. Birds did not lose hope and initiated some promising moves from behind.