The Venda Chiefs traditional leaders were too strong for Nzhelele Masters and beat them 1-0 in a Phalaphala FM sanitary towel campaign match at a fully packed Rabali Stadium on Saturday.
Masters started to demonstrate their rough skills in the middle of the first half. The referee calmed the situation by reprimanding Zozo Davhana with a card. This happened after Davhana had brutally tackled Chief Mahanda Mabidi from behind.
The keeper of Chiefs, Vhutshilo Mafunisa, made his presence felt in the 30th minute. Masters were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Simon Ramabulana unleashed from the set piece. Mafunisa impressed even the opponents when he braved the hot shot and executed a brilliant save.
The captain of Chiefs, Thovhele Ramovha, was lucky to go away with a yellow card. He handled the ball intentionally, but the referee felt for him as he only flashed a yellow card when everyone thought he would be taking an early shower.
Both sides effected some changes to their starting line-up in the last half. Chiefs enjoyed ball possession throughout the last half, but they were unfortunate. Masters missed two clear chances in the first 70th and 74th minute. Firstly, Tornando Mulaudzi made an unforgettable blunder when he shot wide from close range after receiving a neat pass from Tshililo Mathobo in the 78th minute. As if that was not enough to stir up the fans, Mulaudzi caused another upset three minutes thereafter. Instead of relaxing on the ball and trying other possible ways, Mulaudzi chose to release aimlessly from outside the box, much to the disappointment of the team's supporters.
The goal that separated the boys from the men was scored by Chief Livhuwani Matsila after Chief Randima had dribbled past three defenders in a row and passed the ball to Chief Ntsieni Netshimbupfe.