Mhlaba FC opens 2026 with commanding 2–0 win against Gauteng FC
Goals from Thandoluhle Dube and Mahlatsi Mokoena sealed a 2–0 victory for Mhlaba FC, keeping their promotion hopes alive in the ANLFA Promotional League.
Mhlaba FC’s determined push to collect maximum points in the ANLFA Promotional League continues undeterred.
On January 17, they beat Gauteng FC 2–0 at the Alex Safe Hub, marking a strong start to their 2026 campaign.
While the clash proved challenging for both sides, Mhlaba FC’s Thandoluhle Dube struck first in the opening half, giving his team an early lead. Gauteng FC fought hard to claw back and equalise, but fortune was not on their side. Still, their resilience ensured the encounter was no walkover for Mhlaba FC.
Read more: Mhlaba FC remains optimistic even after 2-1 loss to Opopo FC
Mhlaba coach Ndabezinhle Mhlaba described the contest as 60/40, with the odds slightly tilted in his team’s favour.
The fixture marked Mhlaba FC’s first game and victory of the 2026 leg of the season. Despite the 2–0 scoreline, the coach admitted he had expected more goals in the opening stages.
“In the first 30 minutes, I was expecting to score more goals, but we missed a lot of chances. It gave them the power to fight back in the second half,” he said.
Mhlaba attributed some of those missed opportunities to his side’s fitness, acknowledging that the team is still regaining sharpness after the festive break.
Tactically, he credited the 3–5–2 formation as a decisive factor in the outcome. With limited knowledge of Gauteng FC’s strengths ahead of the match, the setup allowed him to field more numbers in attack while maintaining balance.
“They [Gauteng] did not have a chance to play, so I ended up adding another player from midfield to the strikers to play 3–4–3. That is what killed them,” he explained.
Also read: Opopo FC keeps its top spot after 2-1 win against Mhlaba FC
Spotting Gauteng FC’s concentration in midfield, Mhlaba exploited the gaps on the flanks, using his wingers to stretch play and create openings. Nearing the final quarter, Mahlatsi Mokoena sealed the victory with a decisive second goal.
With six games played, Mhlaba FC now sits comfortably in the top three with 15 points. For the coach, this marks a significant improvement compared to last season.
“So far, so good compared to last season. By our sixth game, then, I think we were sitting at number 14 on the table,” he reflected.
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