The revival of Benoni Northerns Football Club’s (BNFC) regional league side continued at Actonville Stadium on October 10, where they were leading Mayfield White Rabbits 2-0 before the match was abandoned at half-time due to the weather.

Although the fixture remains unfinished, the performance offered further evidence that the new technical team, led by coaches Thabang Mokwatle, who played for Tembisa Classic and Dynamos in the PSL and July Mahlangu, a former captain of the now-defunct Benoni Premier United, is beginning to make its mark.

While combinations, particularly in midfield, are still taking shape, the side’s renewed energy and tactical direction are evident, with a largely new squad seemingly embracing the coaches’ philosophy.

Northerns headed into the encounter on the back of a 4-2 home win over Samba Boys in their opening league fixture but faced a hostile reception in Actonville, where most of the spectators backed the home side.

Mokete’s charges started brightly but struggled to impose their possession-based game on a bumpy pitch. Mayfield absorbed the early pressure before taking control and mounting sustained attacks in the final third.

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With his side under pressure, Mokwatle sent his substitutes out to warm up, seemingly prompting a response from his starting XI.

Northerns’ first real opportunity came against the run of play when Koketso Seanetsa won possession and crossed for Anesu Nkabinde in the box. A defender cleared the ball into the path of captain Samkelo Zwane, whose rebound was saved by the goalkeeper.

Nkabinde was involved again moments later when he was kicked in the face while challenging for a long ball just outside the penalty area. The resulting free-kick was expertly curled into the top corner by left-back Ayanda Duze to give Northerns the lead.

Mayfield pushed for an equaliser after the restart but wasted a promising opportunity with too many touches inside the Northerns box, allowing the goalkeeper to collect a tame effort.

Northerns doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Zwane headed home an Ethan Liversage corner. The Mayfield goalkeeper rushed off his line but failed to connect with the delivery, leaving Zwane to guide his header off the ground and into the net.

Northerns went into the break with a commanding 2-0 advantage, only for persistent lightning to bring proceedings to an early end.

The second half will be played on a date yet to be determined.

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