Tshivhazwaulu Peace Makers will not take part in the next round of the Total Soccer Challenge. They were booted out of the tournament by Univen FC, who beat them 3-1 at the Tshakhuma Malaria grounds on Sunday.
The referee, Mr Mulalo Mubva, was a busy man as the tempo of the game increased with time. Mubva flashed the first yellow card in the 19th minute. Wisani Maswanganyi of Univen obstructed Ndivhuwo Matidza just outside the penalty box and the referee was quick to produce yellow.
The Univen students threatened to score in the 24th minute. Thetshelesani Tshipani forced his way through the defence of Peace Makers and unleashed a volley from the edge of the box. The ball hit the crossbar and landed outside the field of play for a goal kick. That was a wake-up call to the players of Peace Makers. They started to initiate promising moves from behind, with their midfielders dishing out some telling passes to the strikers.
Ndivhuwo Matidza of Peace Makers was warned with a card for handling the ball intentionally. The referee flashed another yellow card nine minutes before the end of the regulation time. Madilonga Mukwevho of Univen was also booked for handling the ball.
Both sides played defensive football in the last 10 minutes of the game. The winner was determined through penalty shootout as the scoreboard was still blank when the referee blew the final whistle.
Univen managed to convert three of their five chances while Peace Makers scored only one from the spot.