FOOTBALL NEWS - Things are not going well for Madibaz, the newcomers to the Safa Eden Regional League. The Nelson Mandela University students are struggling to collect points in their opening league fixtures.
They went down with a humiliating score of 6-1 in a regional league encounter on Saturday afternoon, 27 January at the Lawaaikamp Stadium. Blekiwe Lwandiso, Nandile Jacobs (2), Yamkela Ntlaba (2) and Lutho Gora (own goal) scored for Simunye, while Sabelo Hlela netted the only goal for the students.
Simunye's Sihle van Rensburg played an exceptional game, controlling the centre of the field and creating opportunities for his side. After 14 league games, the Lawaaikamp soldiers Simunye have logged eight victories, one draw and five defeats and are occupying third position with 25 points.
The students are currently at the bottom half of the log table with 12 points.
Simunye started the game at a high tempo with Lwazi Mkhetho driving a long-range shot, but his shot went over the bar. Madibaz tried in vain to fend off the Simunye wingers on the attack and Simunye scored their first goal within the first five minutes.
The students tried to get the ball rolling on the ground, but were countered by Simunye players Lwandiso Blekiwe and Lwazi Mkhetho, who built their passes from the centre of the field looking for a breakthrough.
Daniels Muhammad (left) and Lwazi Mkhetho getting the ball on the ground. Nandile Jacobs of Simunye netted the second goal to make it 2-0 after set play from the centre of the field. Both teams were pressing for more goals, but it was Simunye that was controlling the game. The first 45 minutes ended 2-0 with Simunye in the lead.
The second half saw both teams looking very smart on the ball with NMU players trying to catch up on goals. The students received a penalty and Sabelo Hlela Scored for his team to make it 2-1.
Simunye countered with a forward-moving drive and Nandile Jacobs scored after a beautiful cross from the right side of the field, making it 3-1. The students were working overtime to defend the strong attacking play from the Simunye wingers.
Athenkosi Mahala of Simunye delivered a world-class cross inside the box, finding Yamkela Ntlaba who scored their fourth goal. Simunye turned the students' defenders and forced them to panic, resulting in Lutho Gora of NMU scoring an own goal for Simunye to make it 5-1.
A confident Simunye team was playing more offensively in the last minutes of the game. Athenkosi Mahala played in a delightful cross from the right side of the field to Yamkela Ntlaba, who scored his brace to make it 6-1.
The game ended on this high note with Simunye collecting maximum points.
Sabelo Hlela (right) of NMU controlling the ball against Daniels Muhammad (left) of Simunye. Photos: Zama Gagu
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