Matangari High Aims booked a place in the quarterfinal stage of the Tshikosi Soccer Tournament by beating Shadani Dangerous Scorpions 4-2 in their opening match at the Makonde Home Defenders' grounds on Saturday.
Scorpions approached the game aggressively, with their midfielders applying hard tackles. The referee, Mr Calvin Nemavhola, called them to order by reprimanding one of them, Maanda Luvhengo, with a yellow card.
High Aims started to play their normal carpet football after Scorpions refrained from their dangerous tackles. They were awarded a free kick in the 25-meter area 18 minutes into the game. Loshani Nedambale tried his luck from the free kick with a volley. The keeper of Scorpions, Combrick Chauke, watched helplessly as the ball went beyond his reach.
The Scorpions came close to scoring in the 25th minute. Thabelo Mulondo received a neat pass from Rophuluswa Mauvhelwana and shot wide from inside the box. High Aims increased the margin in the 29th minute. Thizwilondi Dau hooked in the ball, following Walter Mabenge's square pass.
Dangerous Scorpions reduced the deficit by one, six minutes before the referee blew the half-time whistle. They were awarded a penalty after a defender of High Aims handled the ball within the box. Mulanga Tshisaphungo made no mistake from the white spot.
High Aims abandoned their positions and packed themselves at the far back and relied on counter-attacks in the last half. They scored the third goal in the 56th minute via Pfarelo Mphenemene. He gave the ball a final touch, following a scramble within the box.
Dangerous Scorpions tried every trick in the book in their search for goals, but the wall of High Aims were unbreakable. High Aims put matters beyond doubt in the 69th minute. Winslow Musekwa found the net with a ground cutter.
The Scorpions pulled one back later in the game when Uyarilwela Mungadi blasted in a rocket from the edge of the box.