Univen and TTN in 1-1 draw

Lufuno Musekwa of TNN (right) and Anzani Mululuma of Univen chase the ball.

Univen and TTN in 1-1 draw

In their MMK Administrators Soccer League match at the Tshakhuma Malaria grounds on Sunday, Tshakhuma Na Ndilani (TNN) held Univen FC to a 1-1 draw.

The youthful TNN relied on their experienced strikers, Thabiso Lekgau and Saddam Matodzi, for goals but unfortunately the duo were tightly marked. Lekgau beat the offside-trap in the 14^th minute and unleashed a half volley. The ball went far wide, much to the fans’ disappointment.

That was a wake-up call to the Univen students. They initiated several promising moves from behind, which were all intercepted as they entered the opposition's danger area. The visitors did not lose hope, despite the fact that it was difficult for them to find their way through the defence of TNN.

Univen finally broke the deadlock in the 24^th minute. Sibusiso Mashele tried his luck from the edge of the box with a volley. The keeper of TNN, Khuliso Phosiwa, watched helplessly as the ball went beyond his reach. TNN introduced their vastly experienced defender, Khathutshelo Mukomafhedzi, and sacrificed Moses Makungo in the 28^th minute.

The wheel of fortune turned in favour of the home side in the 36^th minute. A defender of Univen handled the ball in a mix-up within the box. That prompted the referee to award a penalty to TNN. Khathutshelo Mukomafhedzi made no mistake from the white spot. Realizing that their strikers were showing no appetite for goals, Mukomafhedzi abandoned his position to assist the strikers.

The hosts came close to scoring again in the 65^th minute. Their right winger, Thabiso Lekgau, received a neat pass from Khathutshelo Mukomafhedzi and ran towards the right corner from where he dished a square pass. The pass was intercepted before the ball entered the penalty box. Both sides played defensive football for the remaining part of the game.

Pfano Mulaudzi of Univen controls the ball and Thabiso Lekgau of TNN pulls him back.

Maduvha Matodzi of TNN controls the ball.

Sifiso Msithini of Univen (left) and Rabelani Mamphagi of TTN are focused on the high ball.

Date:23 February 2017

By: Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990. He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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