Tshiozwi Mates played their hearts out to silence Madabani Black Mambas and beat them 1-0 in their Makhado LFA match at Tshiozwi on Saturday.
Mambas had nobody else to blame for the defeat but themselves. They squandered countless scoring opportunities. Their captain, Livhuwani Ramadwa, could not live up to the fans' expectations as a scoring machine as he was tightly marked.
Realizing that life was difficult for him as a striker, Ramadwa moved back and played as a midfielder, but that did not assist his team as the opponents kept a watchful eye on him. The keeper of Mates, Dakalo Ramabulana, made his presence felt in the 19th minute. Ramabulana did the unexpected by braving Tshimangadzo Siphugu's close-range volley and palmed the ball away for a corner kick.
The game turned lukewarm for about 15 minutes as the teams were studying each other. Mates started to launch more attacks from the middle of the park soon afterwards. Takalani Sadiki of Mates was booked for a late tackle on Livhuwani Ramadwa three minutes before the half-time whistle.
The second half saw Mambas commit more blunders. Their right winger, Mulalo Mangomeni, caused an upset in the 50th minute. He unleashed aimlessly from inside the box instead of relaxing on the ball and picking his spot.
Both sides effected some changes to their starting line-ups in the last half. Mates replaced Marias Ndou and Jethrow Nenwali with Nkosinathi Nduna and Aluwani Ramavhuya respectively in the 59th minute.
Mambas responded by introducing Lutendo Mabada for Kgomotso Masipa. Itani Muedi of Mambas was also warned with a card for dangerous play on Murendeni Mauvhelwani in the 70th minute. Mates' all-important goal came in the 84th minute. Nkosinathi Nduna blasted in a rocket from inside the box.