Mikhado revive promotion hopes

After losing 1-2 to Polokwane United at the Rabali Stadium last Tuesday, Mikhado FC revived their promotion hopes by beating Pusela City 3-2 in their ABC Motsepe League match at the same venue last Saturday.

The victory was sweet revenge for Mikhado as they lost 2-3 to City in their first-round league match at the same venue about six months ago.

The visitors from Tzaneen displayed entertaining football in the first 30 minutes of the game, with their midfielders distributing some killer passes to the strikers. It came as no surprise when their captain, Lolly Mkhari, headed home in the 18^th minute.

The goal seemed to be a wakeup call to the technical staff of Mikhado. They soon replaced Lutendo Mavhona with Ndivhuwo Thavhana in a bid to strengthen their striking force. Although the home side started to play their normal carpet football after the replacement, the score line remained unchanged until the end of the first half.

Mikhado injected more life into their striking force by introducing Thabang Makondo for Khuthadzo Tshikulumela early in the last half. Makondo made his presence felt two minutes after his introduction. He beat the offside trap and scored Mikhado’s equalizer.

City lost shape in the middle of the park after Mikhado’s equalizing goal. The home side capitalized on the setback and took the lead in the 59^th minute. Their lethal striker, Vutomi Ngomana, unleashed a ground cutter from the edge of the box.

Mikhado increased the lead in the 69^th minute. Vutomi Ngomana, the team’s top goal scorer, beat the keeper with a half volley.

Mikhado relaxed after scoring their third goal. City did not give up, although time was fast running out for them. They were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes of the game after Kulani Mandlazi was brought down within the box. Petro Ngobeni made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Sport - Date: 28 March 2019

Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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