Joe's Express continued to pave their way up the log by beating Mighty FC 1-0 in their Safa Second Division League match at the Makwarela Stadium on Saturday.
The game was characterized by wasted scoring opportunities and numerous stoppages. Express could have scored more than three goals in the first half, but their strikers were unlucky. Their bulldozer striker, Rendani Madega, was the first player to cause an upset. He received a pre-cooked pass from Pfariso Mukoma and hesitated for far too long to unleash from the edge of the box and lost possession.
Instead of replacing him before the end of the first half, the coach of Express, Mr Edwin "Cafu" Ramphabana, blundered by allowing Madega to play until a few minutes into the last half, while it was evident that the player was down and out.
The referee, Mr Sphiwe Nyambi, warned Hymer Munyai of Express with card when the game was 27 minutes old. He tackled Sifiso Masina off the ball. Lenox Mabila, who replaced Rendani Madega, combined well with Thembisani Nevhulamba at the forefront.
The game came to a halt for seven minutes in the 64th minute. This after an official of Mighty, Mr Mighty Tlale, invaded the pitch, accusing the match officials of favouritism.
The goal which earned Express three valuable points came in the 78th minute. Thembisani Nevhulamba connected a square pass from Lenox Mabila and gave the keeper of Mighty, Thabiso Khumalo, no chance. The goal was an insult to Mr Tlale. He immediately instructed his players to evacuate the pitch, saying he was tired of watching "daylight robbery". It was after some negotiations with the match officials that Tlale again instructed the players to play the game to the finish.