Moroka Swallows enhanced their log standing when they beat their visitors, Bloemfontein Celtic, 1-0 in their Premier Soccer League (PSL) encounter played at the Germiston Stadium on Saturday.
Just two minutes into the game, Celtic’s Moses Spandeel attempt at goal was blocked by Swallows’ defenders in the six-yard area. Three minutes later, Swallows striker Hariepa Marumo looked on helplessly as his header just went past the upright.
The best chances of the day came in the 10th and 20th minutes when both Swallows’ Mame Niang’s header and Marumo’s shot went wide after conservative pinpoint passes from their teammate Henrico Botes, who provided dangerous crosses throughout the game.
Celtic’s midfielder Abram Nteo could have given the visitors the lead in the 29th minute, but he shot wide after dribbling past Swallows defenders and goalkeeper Greg Etafia. Celtic did not show Swallows any respect as their left winger Elias Ngwepe kept Ivan Winstanley busy with his runs throughout the game.
Celtic’s ‘keeper, Simon Gopane, made a good save to stop a powerful header from Niang in the 35th minute.
Marumo’s goal was disallowed by referee Charl Theron as it was ruled offside only a minute after Celtic’s Siyabonga Nkosi’s shot at goal was well saved by an acrobatic Etafia in the 40th minute.
Niang finally broke the ice when his header beat an advancing Gopane in the 44th minute to give Swallows a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Spandeel and Elias Ngwepe both wasted sitters in the 62nd and 70th minutes respectively.
Santos keep on winning
Santos continued on their winning way when a goal in each half gave them victory over Jomo Cosmos in a PSL match played at Cape Town’s Athlone Stadium on Saturday night.
Cosmos came out strongly with their tackling and in the first 23 minutes, three of the Santos players were carried off the field. Star midfielder Marawaan Bantam was one of these and, after nine minutes, could not take any further part in the game.
Cosmos were quick on the attack but the Santos defence held and in the 10th minute, Shere Lekgothoane was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and Dipsy Selolwane made no mistake with the spot kick.
The visitors missed a golden chance to level the score in the 26th minute when Felix Katongo mis-kicked a ball 7m from the line and Brendon Wardle made a brilliant save from Calvin Kadi.
The referee was poor in handling this game and, in the 32nd minute, Ryan Hodgskin kicked a high ball back to his goalkeeper, Avril Phali, who had to jump to tip the ball over the bar. Referee Lwandile Mkiki played a corner instead of a 5m indirect free kick.
Phali brought off a brilliant save in the 59th minute when Selolwane’s powerful shot from the edge was tipped over the bar and, at the other end, the right back’s shot flew past the upright.
Santos doubled the score in the 72nd minute when Thembile Kanone outran the defence and beat Phali to the ball before bringing him back to net.
Maximum points for Leopards
Black Leopards collected maximum points when they beat a determined Supersport United 2-0 in the PSL game played at Super Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday night. The visitors were leading 2-0 at half-time.
The score was not a true reflection of the game because Leopards were on top from beginning to end. United — without their coach, Pitso Mosimane, who is allegedly still on leave — were not the same team, although stand-in coaches Thomas Madigage and Kwanele Kope were trying their level best to raise the team’s morale.
As early as the 24th minute, United defender Siboniso Gaxa scored an own goal through pressure from Leopards’ drivers while trying to clear. Unfortunately, the ball beat his goalkeeper, Calvin Marlin, and rolled into the empty net.
Five minutes before the break, Leopards’ prolific striker Mulondo Sikhwivhilu increased the score to two, the last goal of the match, putting bigger smiles on his fellow teammates who were enjoying having the upper hand.
United must thank Leopards striker Rudzani Ramudzuli, who failed to increase the score when he shot straight to Marlin, who easily saved from the penalty spot in the 65th minute.
In the end, the few soccer lovers who braved the night to come and witness United losing at home were wondering why their team were no longer playing their attacking, purposeful football.
Stars demolish Ajax
Free State Stars midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala scored a brace, lifting his team to a rare 3-1 victory against Ajax Cape Town in front of a capacity crowd in their PSL encounter at Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem on Saturday. Stars were leading 1-0 at the half-time break.
Former Ajax and Zimbabwean and now Stars striker Wilfred Mugeyi missed a golden opportunity when he failed to convert a penalty to put his team ahead early in the first half.
In the 43rd minute, Tshabalala opened the scoring when he scored from a pass from Matome Madimabe, beating Moeneeb Josephs in the far left corner to giving the hosts a vital 1-0 lead at the at half-time.
In the second half, Tshabalala completed his brace when he blasted a free kick from outside the penalty area, beating Josephs and adding to the woes of Ajax coach Gordon Ingesund, who was in a state of shock watching his young team being outplayed.
Just as Stars supporters were celebrating their team’s lead, never-say-die Ajax striker Nathan Paulse gave his side a ray of hope when he scored a header in the 83rd minute.
In referee’s optional time, Stars striker Jimmy Kauleza made sure that their new slogan, ”Operation Points Collection”, worked by scoring the clincher, looping the ball over an advancing Josephs to give Stars a vital full house of points. — Sapa