Molepo "Maseven" Rapatsa was a marvel to watch when her team, Maindis Ladies FC, beat Shayandima Morning Stars 3-0 in the final of the Vhembe Mayoral Cup match at the Rabali Stadium on Saturday.
She scored a hat trick to ensure that Maindis lifted the trophy.
Moring Stars realized that it was not their day in the ninth minute. Their left-footed striker, Pfarelo Sikhwari, won a loose ball in the 35-meter area and dished a square pass to Takalani Makhavhu, who was waiting inside the box. Makhavhu miskicked the ball from inside the box.
Maindis regrouped from behind soon afterwards. They opened their account in the 24th minute. Maseven Rapatsa tried her luck from the 23-meter area with a half volley. The keeper of Morning Stars, Gumani Mulibana, watched helplessly as the ball went beyond her reach.
The Stars continued to dictate terms in the middle of the park, but their strikers let them down by fumbling at the goal finish.
Maindis increased their lead in the 37th minute. Rapatsa was on target again, following a mix-up within the box, to bring the half-time score to 2-0.
Morning Stars effected three changes to their starting line-up within the first 15 minutes of the last half, but the move was not good enough to change the complexion of the game, as Maindis continued to dictate terms in the middle of the park.
Doris Mnisi of Morning Stars was the only player to be reprimanded with a card. She tackled Linky Twala from behind in the 67th minute. Rapatsa put matters beyond doubt when she capitalized on a clearing mistake by the Stars' defender in the 78th minute. Realizing that victory was almost certain, Maindis entertained their fans with their dribbling skills in the remaining part of the game.