Spectators saw a feast of goals when Mathule Masters beat Nesengani Masters 8-5 in their Safa Vhembe Masters Soccer League at the Tshifulanani Stadium on Sunday.
It took Mathule only seven minutes to open their account. Ratshi Nemutandani beat the offside trap and sent the keeper the wrong way with a half volley.
Nesengani retaliated four minutes afterwards. Voda Mulaudzi tried his luck from the 35-meter area. The keeper of Mathule, Milly Makhanthisa, palmed the ball back into his own net in an attempt to clear. Mathule reclaimed the lead in the 18th minute when Khwathi Sithagu headed home after a corner kick that was taken by Stan Muremi.
Mathule scored two goals, through Khwathi Sithagu and Stan Muremi respectively, in quick succession. The visitors from Nesengani scored two more goals via Dzulani "Mlaba" Makhado and Oriel Ndou in the 34th and 39th minute respectively to bring the half-time score to 4-3. Nesengani introduced Benjamin Mhlaba and sacrificed Zane Ndou two minutes into the last half.
Nesengani found the equalizer in the 57th minute. Tshume Mudau was on target with a half volley, following a neat pass from Rendani Ramulifho. Mathule took the lead again three minutes later. Ratshi Nemutandani blasted in a rocket after a scramble within the box. Nesengani fought back in the 68th minute and Oriel Ndou beat the keeper with a ground cutter.
Mathule took the game to their opponents. They scored the sixth and seventh goal via Mbulaheni Thaba and Khwathi Sithagu within a short space of time. A heated argument ensued between the players of Nesengani and the referee after Mathule's seventh goal and the keeper of Nesengani, Thuphi Maluleke, was given his marching orders for using abusive words towards the referee.
Mbulaheni Thaba scored Mathule's final goal to bring the full-time score to 8-5.