SMSA FC enhanced their chances of promotion by beating Govhu Black Bulls 2-0 in their MMK Administrators Soccer League match at the Makhuvha Stadium last Friday.
SMSA deserved to win from the onset as the visitors looked hopeless for the better part of the game. Although Black Bulls showed no appetite for goals, the home side failed to score an avalanche of goals within the first 20 minutes of the game. Instead, they created numerous scoring opportunities, with their strikers letting them down by shooting aimlessly at the goal posts.
In the first instance, their centre forward, Takalani Mmbadi, received a neat pass from Hakhakhi Mudau and tried his luck with a half volley. The ball missed the target by inches, much to the fans' disappointment.
As if that was not good enough to stir up the team's enthusiastic supporters, Ntsako Sithole committed a similar blunder moments thereafter. Instead of relaxing on the ball and trying other possible ways, Sithole chose to unleash from inside the box. He suffered the pain of watching the ball missing the target by inches.
SMSA finally took the lead in the 25th minute. They were awarded a corner kick after the keeper of Black Bulls, Lassy Mashila, palmed the ball away after failing to deal with Musa Mkhabele's close-range attempt. Ntiviso Maluleke took the corner kick and Hlayisani Maluleke headed home.
The struggle continued, with SMSA enjoying more ball possession. The score was 2-0 when the referee, Mr Mbonisi Ndlovu, blew the half-time whistle. Their second goal came via Mukovhe Mudzikiti, whose header looked too hot for the Bulls' keeper to handle.
Singita Shabani of Black Bulls sustained an injury to the knee 10 minutes into the last half. Shabani was not replaced as Bulls did not have substitutes on their bench. Although Bulls played 35 minutes of the last half with only 10 men, SMSA failed to capitalize on the setback.