Arsenal and Stars in draw in local derby

Madombidzha Western Stars held Madombidzha Arsenal to a 2-all draw in their local Safa Vhembe MMK Administrators derby at Madombidzha on Sunday.

Arsenal took only 10 minutes to open their account. A breakdown in communication between the keeper of Stars, Elikana Nemakanga, and his defenders gave rise to the goal. Naledzani Mukondeleli intercepted a ball directed back to the keeper and beat the keeper with a half volley.

Stars did not lose their fighting spirit, despite conceding this early goal. Their midfielders continued to distribute some telling passes from the middle of the park in their search for the equaliser. Arsenal scored the second goal via Talifhani Mbelengwana to make the half-time score 2-0 in favour of Arsenal.

Stars come back strongly in the second half and scored through Vhulenda Netshiavha and Lufuno Ndou.

“I saw my players looking so heavy and playing without a purpose. In the first half we tried to control the game. If you can control the game, you create opportunities. They, however, used their opportunities and equalised in the last minutes of the game,” said Arsenal’s coach, Mr Owert Mammburu.

Stars’ coach, Mr Maanda Themeli, said that they should have won the match if his players had used their chances. “We know each other very well and they are in good form and they play very good football.” He said that credit must go to his players as they came back from 0-2 to equalise.

Date:11 April 2019

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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