Matangari High Aims were far too strong for Mashishi Young Tigers when they crushed them 3-0 in their MTG Makonde Annual Tournament match at the Makonde Home Defenders grounds on Sunday.
Although no goal was scored in the first half, Young Tigers played the whole game with their backs against the wall. Realizing that they had squandered a number of scoring opportunities in the opening minutes, High Aims introduced Ronald Mphenemene for Rotshidzwa Nemutudi towards the end of the first half. Mphenemene formed a deadly combination with Mishumo Ngwana and Rendani Ntsieni at the forefront.
High Aims broke the deadlock in the 54th minute. Ronald Mphenemene headed home, following a free kick that was taken by Dakalo Tshilume. Young Tigers had no reason to play defensive football after the Aims' opening goal. They started to press the panic button and moved forward in numbers.
That gave High Aims a good chance to increase the margin in the 64th minute. Mishumo Ngwana intercepted a back pass and beat the keeper with a close-range ground cutter.
Young Tigers replaced Thanyani Matsea with Patrick Nekhubvi in their search for goals. Things turned against Tigers when they were reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute. Their captain, Thivhadi Khorommbi, was given his marching orders, following a dangerous tackle on Dakalo Tshilume.
As if that was not enough to frustrate Young Tigers, their striker, Murwa Nkhumeleni, was also shown red for using abusive language towards the referee. High Aims scored the third in the dying minutes of the game. Rendani Ntsieni forced his way through the defence of Tigers and unleashed a half volley from inside the box.