Last Saturday marked the end of the road for Mulodi Freedom Birds in the Total Challenge KO Competition.
They were unceremoniously booted out of the competition by Mianzwi Green Hornet, who beat them 6-3 in their last-18 match at Tshifulanani Stadium.
Green Hornet deserved to win from the onset. They did not waste time and their fast forward, Mulanga Matsheketsheke, found the net in the seventh minute. He received a pre-cooked pass from Lesley Sioga and blasted in a rocket.
Freedom Birds retaliated via a substitute, Vhutshilo Nemulodi, in the 54th minute. Latani Mudau of Green Hornet went into the referee's book, following a late tackle on Saul Nyadzani soon afterwards. Freedom Birds took the lead, after Mukona Makhado blasted in an excellent goal from outside the box.
The unusual happened in the 68th minute. Latani Mudau of Green Hornet tackled Michael Tshikalange of Freedom Birds the rough way. Instead of giving him his marching orders, as that was a second bookable offence, the referee, Mr Roy Mulaudzi, flashed a second yellow, much to the amazement of the soccer fanatics.
A defender of Birds handled the ball within the box and it was a clear penalty for Green Hornet. Meshack Ramatamba made no mistake from the white spot.
As the score was 2-2 at the end of the regulated time, the winner was determined through a penalty shoot-out. Green Hornet converted four of their chances, while Freedom Birds managed to score in only one of their five chances.