Lacoste Morning Stars remain on course for promotion after beating Real Mighty Ladies 1-0 in their Sasol Women's League match at the Shayandima School Grounds last Sunday.
Sunday's game was characterised by wasted scoring opportunities. Morning Stars could easily have scored at least five goals, were it not for their strikers, who fumbled at the goal mouth time and again.
The absence of Zwavhudi Manavhela in Stars' attacking line was evident from the outset. The team threatened to score seven minutes into the game, but Matodzi Mbulaheni squandered a golden chance when she miskicked the ball at the edge of the box.
The Mighty Ladies' goalkeeper, Nhlalala Mathye, was the busiest player in the last 15 minutes of the first half, pulling off a series of brilliant saves as the Stars' forwards fired from all angles. Stars began to vent their frustration through dangerous tackles. The situation settled after the referee, Ms Maduvha Luvhengo, issued yellow cards to three players: Phuluso Mothelo, Uhone Khorommbi and Ipfi Manyelenyele.
Although the Mighty Ladies were on the back foot for most of the game, their bulldozing playmaker, Katekani Chauke, remained a live wire. Chauke managed to snuff out several attacks as the Stars continued to press.
Amanda Pinana scored the winning goal three minutes before the end of regulation time. Mathye palmed the ball into her own net in an attempt to clear.
Morning Stars have now climbed to second place on the log, following the win. Rodadau FC, previously in second, dropped to third after playing to a 1-1 draw with Masakona Liberty Experience at the Tshitungulwane Grounds outside Vuwani.