Another humiliation for TTM

Moeketsi Sekola of Highlands Park kicks the ball, while Thabiso Maitsapo of TTM is on his heels.

Another humiliation for TTM

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) are still battling to come to terms with the 0-4 defeat they suffered at the hands of Highlands Park in their National First Division League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.

As if they were hypnotized, TTM were chasing the action from the onset to the end. Given Msimango, the Park’s midfielder, was the first player to go into the referee’s book. He tackled Khunadi Nkoana from behind and the referee, Mr Phelelani Ndaba, was quick to flash yellow.

The absence of TTM’s dribbling wizard, Mpambaniso Monde, was evident as there was no one to hold onto the ball and challenge the opposition defence. It took the visitors 28 minutes to open their account. Their slender striker, Sphiwe Mahlangu, dispossessed TTM’s defender, Mahlatse Mhlabine, just outside the box and beat the keeper with a half volley.

Realizing that their veteran midfielder, David Mathebula, was out of form, TTM replaced him with Thabiso Maitsapo three minutes later. The move was not enough to stop Park from scoring their second goal in the 37^th minute. Mothobi Mvala tried his luck with a long-range ground cutter. Bongani Manavhela, the TTM keeper, watched helplessly as the ball hit the back of the net.

TTM effected their second change in the 54^th minute, when they introduced Nurzard Pail for Bongani Nyathi, but the visitors continued to dominate in the last half.

They increased the margin in the 64^th minute when their speedy forward, Sabelo Nyembe, beat the offside trap and blasted in a rocket. Highlands Park put matters beyond any doubt in the 84^th minute when Peter Shalulile hooked in the ball, following a scramble within the box.

TTM’s keeper, Bongani Manavhela, holds on to the ball.

Charlton Mashumba of Highlands Park (front) and Carlington Nyadombo of TTM wrestle to win the high ball.

Moeketsi Sekola of Highlands Park (right) hinders Thabiso Maitsapo of TTM from reaching the ball.

Date:05 April 2018

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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