Happy Boys too strong for Khumbe FC

Miluwani Happy Boys kept their title hopes alive by beating Khumbe FC 2-0 in their Thulamela Local Football Association League match at the Miluwani grounds on Saturday.

Happy Boys took the game to their opponents from the first whistle, but the keeper of Khumbe, Ntshavheni Ratshilumela, was in top form. He denied Happy Boys numerous sure goals within the first 15 minutes.

Happy Boys did not lose their original fighting spirit, despite all the odds. They continued to knock on the visitors’ door time after time, forcing the defenders of Khumbe to perform overtime.

Reality Mavhunga of Khumbe was reprimanded with a card in the 11^th minute. He tackled Murendeni Ramudzuli from behind and the referee was lenient enough not to let him go with red.

Pressure continued to mount on the defence of Khumbe. Hlaniseka Manganyi of Happy Boys was brought down within the box in the 29^th minute. That prompted the referee to award a penalty to Happy Boys. Lufuno Sithubalila made no mistake from the white spot.

The game was evenly contested in the last 15 minutes of the first half, with both sides creating and wasting scoring chances.

The only change Khumbe effected to their starting 11 was when they introduced Thendo Masindi, who replaced Reality Mavhunga four minutes into the last half.

Khumbe threatened to score in the 59^th minute. Rofuna Chauke forced his way through the defence of Happy Boys and tried his luck with a half volley from the 25-meter area. The ball hit the woodwork and landed outside the field of play for a goal kick.

Happy Boys increased the margin in the 78^th minute. Ntodeni Mashau beat the keeper with a long-range ground cutter. Happy Boys introduced two new faces late in the game, but that did not stop Khumbe from firing on all cylinders in their search for goals.

Date:31 May 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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