In soccer ‒ like any other sport ‒ if you do not take your chances, you later regret your actions.

It was the case with Witbank Citylads when they were beaten by neighbours Middelburg United.

The ABC Motsepe League game was played at the Lynnville Stadium on Saturday, February 18.

United beat Citylads 1-0.

Not long ago, on February 4 the same United beat Mpumalanga Football Academy 3-0 at the same venue.

Citylads had all the chances in the first half of the game.

They should have at least scored two goals in the half, but all their chances went wild or were missed.

Citylads player Cebo Meyiwa missed a long shot in the opening minutes of the game and the shot went over the crossbar.

Citylads were in the picture again when Mthobisi Dlongolo missed with a header in the penalty box.

Citylads were playing well and created all the chances but failed to put the ball at the back of the net.

Citylads’ Sbonelo Mgoza had a place-kick but his shot was blocked.

United player Bongane Kolobe made a good run for a goal but the shot was saved by Citylads goalkeeper Kabelo Mmapaka.

With all the chances created Citylads failed to make use, and United started attacking towards the end of the first half.

One of United’s forwards Xolani Ndlovu nearly scored when his shot was blocked for a corner kick.

United gained the upper hand and they started attacking and were nearly rewarded when Celi Ndwandwe’s shot went wide.

Citylads had a place-kick and Ongama Ncayiyana failed to make good use of the kick and again Sanele Magagula also failed in his attempt to score.

United Kolobe also nearly scored before the team’s break for half-time, the score remains 0-0 at half-time.

In the second half, United made a double substitution and that affected the match as they started putting Citylads under pressure.

United was awarded a place-kick and Xolani Ngwepe’s shot was saved.

Citylads Nkosenhle Sangweni had his shot blocked.

United scored the only goal of the match when Mmapaka failed to hold the ball.

Citylads came back strongly towards the end of the match, but it was too little too late as United gained the three points.

Citylads’ next game will be against rivals Mpumalanga Football Academy on Saturday, February 25 at Lynnville Stadium.

On the A stream log, both Citylads and Mpumalanga Football Academy have played the same number of games ‒ 11 ‒ winning three, drawing three and losing five and both with 12 points.

Citylads are placed seventh while Academy is placed eighth.

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