Killer Nedzamba kills Stellenbosch

Lifa Hlongwane of TTM (behind) and Mogamad de Goede of Stellenbosch are focused on the ball.

Killer Nedzamba kills Stellenbosch

As if they had won a cup final match, it was all joy in the camp of Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) after beating log leaders Stellenbosch FC 1-0 in their National First Division League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.

It was clear from the onset that TTM had one thing in mind, viz. to collect nothing less than the maximum points in the match. Their combination of Aluwani “Killer” Nedzamba, Lifa Hlongwane and Mpambaniso Monde at the forefront kept the visitors’ defence running for cover for the better part of the game.

Mogamad de Goede of Stellenbosch was booked for dangerous play nine minutes into the game. He tackled Mpambaniso Monde from behind just outside the box.

TTM threatened to knock on the visitors’ door for the first time in the 19^th minute. Lifa Hlongwane, however, shot wide from close range with the Stellenbosch keeper, Washington Arubi, already beaten. The goal that clinched the match for TTM came three minutes before half time. Aluwani “Killer” Nedzamba headed home after a square pass from Alton Kapinga.

TTM lost their original shape in the middle of the park in the opening minutes of the second half. That prompted the team’s head coach, Mr Malose Chokoe, to replace their weary midfielder, David Mathebula, with Khunadi Nkoana in the 57^th minute. The team from the Mother City effected three changes to their starting 11 within a short space of time.

TTM nearly committed suicide by playing defensive football in the last 25 minutes of the game. At that stage, Stellenbosch were all over them, forcing their keeper, Bongani Manavhela, to perform unnecessary overtime work. The local team later replaced Mpambaniso Monde and Teboho Kalake with Takalani Ratshilima and Lesvin Stoffels respectively.

What could have been the TTM’s second goal turned to nothing when Alton Kapinga hesitated for too long to unleash, until he lost possession within the box.

Frank Motebejane of TTM (right) and Iqram Rayners of Stellenbosch have lost sight of the ball.

Lifa Hlongwane of TTM hinders Tauriq Dean of Stellenbosch from reaching the ball.

Iqram Rayners of Stellenbosch (left) and Frank Motebejane of TTM are focused on the ball.

TTM’s goal scorer, Aluwani “Killer” Nedzamba.

Mpambaniso Monde of TTM (left) and Iqram Rayners of Stellenbosch wrestle to win the loose ball.

Date:27 October 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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