Mhlaba FC banks three points after hard-fought win
Although Norwood Young Stars pushed hard, Mhlaba FC’s early strikes were enough to seal the points.
Mhlaba FC secured three vital points after clinching a narrow yet hard-fought 2-1 victory over Norwood Young Stars at the 3 Square Sports Ground on Saturday.
The two sides went head-to-head in a tense ANLFA Promotional League fixture, each aiming to secure points needed to sustain momentum in the competition.
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While the first half seemed almost like a walk in the park for Mhlaba, who managed to create multiple chances, the second half kept both teams on the edge of their seats, one determined to protect their lead, the other desperate to equalise.
Mhlaba drew first blood when Enos ‘Katongo’ Moso beat goalkeeper Mteni Matenjwa, giving his side a lead that boosted their confidence.
Moso’s strike was soon followed by Kamogelo Namtshibe’s goal, extending Mhlaba’s advantage to 2-0.
Although that marked the end of Mhlaba’s scoring, the game was far from over. Young Stars refused to throw in the towel, and their resilience paid off in the second half when Nthando Zulu calmly slotted past Mhlaba’s goalkeeper, Tali Troy Justin, to make it 2-1.
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With the scoreline tight, both sides unrelenting in their attempt to score, the margin for error was slim. Both goalkeepers, Matenjwa and Justin, felt the pressure as attacks came thick and fast.
Young Stars’ forwards, including Zulu, repeatedly tested Justin, who had little choice but to stand firm for most of the onslaught.
Mhlaba, meanwhile, suffered multiple offsides as they pressed for another goal. Eventually, after a fierce exchange of possession, the referee’s whistle marked the end of a tough battle.
Speaking after the game, Mhlaba’s coach, Ndabezinhle Mhlaba, said they should have scored two more goals.
“We missed a lot of chances. We were supposed to score more goals. We even ended up changing the formation to 4-2-4 because the game wasn’t too difficult,” he said.
He admitted the second half was more challenging as his players grappled with fitness issues, giving Young Stars the opening they needed. Nonetheless, he expressed satisfaction at securing the win.
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