Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) continued to pave their way to the Absa Premiership Division by beating Cape Umoya United 1-0 in their NFD League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday.
The local lads deserved to win and played entertaining football from the onset.
The referee, Mr Thokozani Mkhize, flashed the first yellow card in the ninth minute. TTM's midfielder, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, tackled Wangu Gome the rough way, prompting the whistleman to flash yellow. TTM came close to scoring in the 14th minute. Edward Manqele caused an upset by shooting straight to the keeper, following a neat pass from Aluwani Nedzamba.
Realizing that their scoring chances were slim, Umoya abandoned their positions and played defensive football, relying on counter-attacks. The only time the Cape Town side threatened to score was when Brandon Theron unleashed a half volley from the right corner in the 27th minute. Tshepo Ramaele, the TTM keeper, braved the shot and palmed the ball away for a corner kick.
The goal that earned TTM the three points came two minutes before the half-time whistle. Edward Manqele hooked in the ball after an excellent pass from Carlington Nyadombo.
The visitors replaced the team's captain, Wangu Gome, with Nathan Paulse three minutes into the last half. TTM responded by replacing Edward Manqele with Khotso Chabeli.
TTM squandered three obvious scoring chances within a short space of time. Aluwani "Killer" Nedzamba missed a sitter in the 65th minute, and he was replaced with David Zulu.
Roscoe Peterson, the Umoya defender, was reprimanded with a card, following a continued argument with the referee in the 76th minute. Carlington Nyadombo of TTM was also warned with a card for wasting time towards the end of the game.