Mukula Avalon will not take part in the next stage of the MTG KO competition. They were booted out of the prestigious competition by Tshipako Hotspurs, who beat them 2-0 at the Khubvi Benjies grounds on Sunday.
Avalon played entertaining football from the onset to the bitter end, but their strikers let them down by shooting aimlessly at the goal finish. It took Avalon nine minutes to realize that it was not their day. They missed two clear chances in a row. In the first instance, Lutendo Mahandana went loose from the right corner and dished a square pass to Kundani Netshandama, who was waiting inside the box. Instead of relaxing on the ball and trying other possible ways, Netshandama caused an upset by unleashing aimlessly. The ball missed the target by inches.
Hotspurs gained momentum with time. They opened their account in the 29th minute. Mulinda Munyai made no mistake after receiving a pre-cooked pass from Thabelo Nemuramba. Avalon kept on promising, but their strikers fumbled at the goal finish time after time. Hotspurs enjoyed their 1-0 lead until proceedings for the first half came to an end.
Avalon tried their luck by introducing Lufuno Mudau and sacrificing Trevor Davhana five minutes into the last half. Lutendo Alidzuli of Hotspurs was reprimanded with a card for dangerous play in the 57th minute. He tackled Nyandano Makhuvha the rough way and the referee was quick to flash yellow.
Avalon tried to frustrate the opponents by demonstrating their rough skills. The referee refused to see any of the wrongdoers to go unpunished. Thanyani Bohwana and Thakhani Maphula were warned with yellow cards for obstruction and dangerous play in the 67th and 74th minute respectively.
Hotspurs increased the margin 10 minutes towards the end of the game. Ndiimafhi Netshiunda beat the keeper with a close-range half volley.