Tshivhilidulu Hungry Lions fought hard to earn a 1-0 victory over Mukumbani Shooting Stars in their opening match of the Petrus Madzuhe Soccer Tournament at the Maranzhe grounds on Saturday.
As if they are campaigning in the same division, Shooting Stars showed Hungry Lions no respect. Their midfielders demonstrated a spirit of self-confidence through their dribbling skills.
The lack of scoring experience was the reason for the Stars' failure to seal the game within the first 20 minutes of the game. They wasted numerous obvious scoring chances in the opening minutes. Their overlapping midfielder, Ndivhuwo Khorommbi, was the first player to cause an upset. He held onto the ball for too long just outside the box before losing possession.
The referee, Mr Humbulani Masaga, flashed the first yellow card in the 39th minute. Hulisani Ravele of Shooting Stars was reprimanded for ignoring the referee's whistle.
The goal that separated the boys from the men came five minutes into the last half. Hungry Lions were awarded a free kick in the 25-meter after Doctor Sathuma was tackled the rough way. Oscar Ramatsitsi, who had come on as a substitute, beat the keeper with a volley from the free kick. Shooting Stars effected two changes to their starting lineup in a bid to neutralize the opponents, but they could not beat the Lions' defence.
In another match, The Dolphins beat Matondoni Home Sweepers 6-4 at the Maranzhe grounds on Sunday. Sweepers opened their account in the ninth minute. Tendani Libago forced his way through the defence of Dolphins and blasted in a rocket from close range. Home Sweepers enjoyed their 1-0 lead until the end of the first half. The only player who was booked for rough tackling was Mueletshedzi Nevhorwa of Dolphins.
The Dolphins did not give up, despite the fact that time was fast running out for them. They continued to fight collectively, creating some dangerous moves from behind. They found the equalizer in the 78th minute when Mueletshedzi Nevhurwa headed home after a free kick.
The score was still 1-1 at the end of the regulation time and the winner was determined through penalty shootout. The Dolphins converted all five their chances through Livhuwani Radzivhoni, Tsharotha Mawela, Pfano Nemutanzhela, Lucas Sithole and Mueletshedzi Nevhurwa, while Sweepers scored only three.