Victory at last for TTM

After losing their first two league matches, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) registered their first NFD victory by beating Jomo Cosmos 1-0 at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.

Just like in their previous two matches, TTM enjoyed more ball possession in the middle of the park, but lacked firing power at the goal finish. The home side threatened to score in the 18^th minute. Their overlapping left back, Thabo Ralebakeng, forced his way through the defence of Cosmos and dished a square pass right inside the box. The strikers of TTM, Lesvin Stoffels and Mpambaniso Monde, watched as the opponents cleared the ball in front of them.

Tebogo Makobela of Cosmos was the first player to go into the referee’s book. He tackled TTM’s dribbling wizard, Mpambaniso Monde, from behind. The referee, Mr Phelelani Ndaba, was lenient enough not to let him see red.

Cosmos had their chance in the 37^th minute when Mxolisi Machupu shot wide from the edge of the box with TTM’s keeper, Bongani Manavhela, already beaten.

TTM were the first to effect change to their starting 11. They replaced Stephen Molomo with Leepile Tlotlo five minutes into the second half.

Tebogo Kalake of TTM was warned with a card for a dangerous tackle two minutes later. TTM strengthened their string force by introducing Aluwani “Killer” Nedzamba for Pail Nuzard in the 65^th minute. Nedzamba formed a deadly combination with Monde and Lesvin Stoffels at the forefront.

A clearing mistake by the Cosmos defender, Thato Lingwathi, gave rise to the TTM’s all-important goal. Mpambaniso Monde capitalized on the error and beat the keeper with a ground cutter in the 77^th minute.

Monde sustained a knee injury moments after the goal. He was replaced with Khunadi Nkoana. TTM played defensive football for the remaining part of the game.   

Date:14 September 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.

Read: 1016