Northerns strike late to down rivals Old Bens

Mandla Bukhali came off the bench to score a late winner to push Benoni Northerns to a 3-2 derby win over cross-suburb rival Old Bens at Currin Park on May 31.

The midfielder’s goal, scored late in the second half, reflected Northerns’ dominance but was tough on the hosts, who showed great resolve after rallying from two goals down.

Old Bens will have only themselves to blame for failing to convert their chances. Their neighbours, meanwhile, were relieved to bag the three points, which moved them to 21 points from 13 games, while Old Bens stayed on 19.

In front of a packed and buzzing Currin Park, the derby showed why this fixture remains one of the most anticipated in the Eastern Super League.

It’s an especially big match for Benonians because part of what makes Old Bens special is Northerns and part of what makes Northerns special is Old Bens. They are two pillars of the same community, within a roar of each other, neighbours who fight and neighbours who unite.

How Northerns won it

Although Northerns controlled possession throughout, their best first-half chances came on the counter-attack. Their speed in transition, especially when Old Bens committed bodies forward, looked particularly threatening.

They struck early through Thabang Teffo. The midfielder received the ball from the right. After breaking clear, he had the easy task of putting the ball behind the net. He calmly did so, beating the keeper on his near post to hand his team the lead.

The home side was undeterred, with two chances to equalise. First came Spiros Avgoustis’ free-kick, which keeper Aneliswa Hola parried before Fortune Mkhenene cleared to safety.

Then Thabo Moeta saw his powerful low header from an Avgoustis corner saved by Hola moments before Nyakallo Mokoena doubled Northerns’ lead by pouncing on a loose ball.

Left-back Kgotso Mohare delivered an inswinging corner, which Sipho Mabena played back to Mkhenene. The midfielder miscued his effort, but the ball fell kindly for Mokoena, who calmly slotted it past the Bens keeper.

Old Bens pulled one back late in the first half when Avgoustis was fouled in the box. He took the responsibility himself and converted the penalty, sending the teams into the break with Northerns leading 2–1.

The second half began brightly for Old Bens as Rogan Robb equalised with a ferocious strike from outside the area.

Following a corner, Hola punched the ball into Robb’s path. He controlled it, set himself, and unleashed a shot that beat the keeper to his left.

But Bukhali sealed the win late on. Despite a nervy finish, as Old Bens pushed forward in search of another equaliser, Northerns held firm to claim the bragging rights.

• Earlier, the Northerns reserves set the tone with a 4-1 drubbing of the Old Bens reserves.

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