Midrand derby ends in a draw with two league matches remaining
Tsamaya Boys will give Opopo FC a guard of honour as they have already won the league with 56 points and two games in hand.
Tsamaya Boys FC rallied from behind to draw 1–1 at Rabie Ridge Stadium against a wasteful Makang Supers FC to go four matches unbeaten in the Johannesburg Men’s Regional League, on April 20.
The Midrand derby clash saw Frans Mokoka’s side dominate possession for the first 10 minutes but they could not find a way past Tsamaya Boys who have not lost a league match since March 12 when they lost 5–0 to Diepsloot Arsenal.
In the 17th minute, Bafana Manana’s shot was diverted wide on the goal line by Tsamaya’s Tshepo Chauke, before Makang skipper Sihle Busika had a chance being denied by Tsamaya keeper Mogale Ramalobela’s superb save.
Tamaya Boys were grateful to Ramalobela who denied Ntokozo Mohane and Manana before making the pick of his saves to deflect wide Tshepo Muthelena’s shot.
The pressure paid off on 30 minutes when Mohane cut in to set up Morongwa Masekela who fumbled the ball towards Busika who was on his toes to mop up the rebound to give Makang a 1–0 lead.
Makang had another opportunity to increase their lead but Busika’s shot sailed wide after Mohane and Lesego Meletse exchanged passes to set him up.
Makang were left to rue those missed chances as shortly before halftime, Tsamaya Boys skipper Tiisetso Sebopa’s freekick strike took a deflection and crawled underneath Makang keeper Siyabonga Jiyane.
After a strong first half, Makang continued to dominate in the second half as Mohane and Busika both headed over the bar, while Muthelena blazed an effort over the goals.
Sebopa, who was in predator mode, kept on showboating in the middle of the park, causing frustration for the Makang players and coach.
As Makang was desperately looking for a goal, Mokoka brought on his ‘last-minute’ striker Mbongeni Nkosi for speed upfront but Nkosi was later red-carded following an exchange of words with referee Abel Maphutha.
Makang sits eighth on the league table with 29 points and two league fixtures left against Manneburg FC and Spoilers FC.
Tsamaya Boys are above Makang in seventh on 31 points ahead of their remaining league fixtures against Brixton Atlectico and table leaders Opopo FC.
All teams will play their final league matches on April 27. Tsamaya Boys will give Opopo FC a guard of honour as they have already won the league with 56 points and two games in hand. Below Opopo FC is Diepsloot Arsenal on 52 points and only one match remaining.
Related Article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/303086/ssf-soccer-tournament-was-a-success/
