Free State Stars came from behind to beat Black Leopards 2-1 in their entertaining Premier Soccer League (PSL) game played at Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem on Saturday afternoon. The visitors were leading 1-0 at half-time.
Leopards opened the scoring with a goal by Fernando Mathola in the 21st minute from a penalty spot kick after referee Buyile Gubile penalised Stars’ defender Clive Hachilensa for handling in the box and gave him a yellow card for the offence.
Stars regrouped well in the second half when striker Jimmy Khauleza came on for the out-of-form Mohao Mokopanela in the 32nd minute.
Khauleza beat Leopards goalkeeper Johannes Diale in the 55th minute with a low shot after receiving a perfect header from striker and assistant coach Wilfred Mugeyi and equalised for the home team.
Both goalkeepers, Diale and Stars’ Simla Mashinini, together with their defenders, worked overtime in the second half as the strikers continued attacking in search of maximum points.
Hachilensa headed home the winning goal in extra time. Fellow striker Aloix Ngwerume finished it off for Y’Allo K’Oto.
The goal led to a booking for Diale for remonstrating with the referee when he and his team members complained that the ball was already outside the line and should not be counted. Referee Gubile refused to change his mind and allowed the goal to stand, to the huge disappointment of the Leopards bench.
Even with the win, Free State Stars still occupy bottom position of the log with 27 points (four wins) and are left with only two games (Golden Arrows and Dynamos) to complete their 2006 season.
Leopards, regardless of their loss, are comfortable at position 12 with 33 points (nine wins, 14 losses) and are only left with one game to wrap up their season.
Unless Stars double their efforts, they will say goodbye to the elite league and find themselves campaigning in the Mvela Golden League next season.
Arrows, Ajax share points
Golden Arrows shared the points with Ajax Cape Town in a fast PSL game played at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday night when the teams drew 1-1. Ajax led 1-0 at the interval.
Intermittent rain fell throughout the match. In the second minute, Brent Carelse’s shot from the edge of the box hit the base of the upright and came out.
Ajax opened the scoring in the 20th minute when, from a corner kick, the ball bounced in the area and Nhlanhla Shabalala turned and netted.
The visitors came close in the 29th minute when Alton Meiring broke down the left and cut in. His shot, from an acute angle, was turned round the corner, for a corner, by goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs. Ten minutes later, a free kick from 35m out rattled the crossbar and as the ball rebounded, Bhela Pharkati headed high over the bar.
In the 47th minute, Nathan Paulse’s powerful shot from the edge of the box was tipped over the bar by Davies Phiri. The visitors levelled the score in the 70th minute when Kanku Mulekelayi slipped on the wet turf, his hand touched the ball and the referee awarded a penalty that was converted by Meiring.
Golden Arrows did most of the pressing, but could not score a goal to gain maximum points.
Classic beat Santos
Thembisa Classic improved their chances of avoiding relegation after their 2-1 win over a 10-man Santos in a PSL match played at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.
Classic looked the better side on the day, but ironically it was Santos who created more scoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes. However, Classic gained the upper hand after Santos’ Sebastian Bax was red-carded for a bad tackle on Nkosinathi Ngema in the 23rd minute.
They duly scored in the 42nd minute through Kabamba Musasa after he received a brilliant cross from Collins Zimba.
In the 54th minute, Santos equalised via Mariwan Bantam, but it was Classic who had the last say when Bradley August scored the winner in the dying minutes.
Celtic beat Bucks
A 10-man Bloemfontein Celtic proved to be too strong for Bush Bucks after beating the home side 1-0 in a closely contested PSL match played at the Absa Stadium in East London on Saturday. There was no score at half-time.
Bucks had themselves to blame as they failed to finish more than a dozen clear scoring chances. Celtic were reduced to 10 men in the 68th minute when referee Peter Mabuza sent off James Madidilani after he committed his second bookable offence with a bad tackle on Phumlani Mhamha.
Celtic scored the winner in the 83rd minute through Elias Ngwepe after a well-taken corner kick by John Maduka.
Swallows beat Cosmos
Moroka Swallows beat Jomo Cosmos 2-1 in a PSL match played at the Herman Immelman Stadium in Germiston on Saturday. The half-time score was 1-1.
Swallows responded to their ever-singing supporters by opening the scoring in the 25th minute via the head of Mame Niang.
However, the celebrations were short-lived when Cosmos’ Christopher Katongo equalised in the 40th minute.
Swallows’ Maimane Phiri scored the winner in the 80th minute with a well-taken, long-range free kick. — Sapa