Opopo FC kept its number one spot on the ANLFA Promotional League table after a 2-1 victory against Mhlaba FC on Saturday.

The two teams went head-to-head at the Alex Safe Hub. The Saturday clash was a fight for the top position – Opopo FC and Mhlaba FC occupied first and second positions on the log respectively, each with nine points.

The fixture broke the points deadlock, giving Opopo the three needed points to tighten their grip on the first position with 12 points.

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Minutes after a fiery opening, Opopo FC player Njabulo Ncala beat Mhlaba’s goalkeeper Nkosana Mnisi, giving Opopo a 1-0 lead. But their lead was short-lived as Mhlaba’s Enos Moso quickly scored an equaliser.

In the second half, the battle for thea lead continued with both teams making significant advances towards their opponent’s goals. Opopo FC eventually converted a free-kick and doubled their lead to 2-1.

“When we came into this, I was anticipating a strong fight from my boys because I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game,” Opopo FC coach Lethabo Mphahlele said.

He admitted that the opponent was strong and noted that had they not had been awarded the free-kick, he does not think they would have won the match.

“They are very strong. They run, and contest for the ball. So for us, it was very hard to trouble their goalkeeper. Even our shots from range, they were not that troubling,” he noted.

However, he said the players remained optimistic and continued pushing.

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Despite the loss, Mhlaba FC chairperson Lawrence Mhlaba said the game was a 50/50 match, and both teams had equal opportunities to win.

He further commended Opopo for converting the free-kick that decided the match.

“The deciding goal was a good goal. It shows that it came from their training. Well done to Opopo, to be honest, we want things like that.”

While the loss hampered his team’s goal of securing the top spot, he remains optimistic that the team will close the three-point gap.

“Going forward, to be honest, we want to go for the kill so that we can manage to get those three points, then we are going to be equal.”

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