Tzaneen United line-up.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Coach Peace Khosa’s Tzaneen United side are through to the Nedbank Cup Provicial Semifinals following their 6-1 demolishing of Mokopane PJ Stars at Westfalia grounds in Modjadjiskloof last Sunday.
Both United and Stars won their first games of the day via walkover after their opponents failed to honour their fixture.
Tzaneen made their intentions of reaching the last 32 of the competition this season very clear with their aggressive approach to the game from the first whistle. They took the game to their opponents with a strong attack on the flanks using their wingers and fullbacks to create scoring possibilities.
It came as no surprise when their top striker Siyabonga Vilane opened the scoring early in the game with a brilliant goal from a Lefa Aphane assist. Vilane completed his brace few minutes later with a well taken shot from outside the box.
It was Star player Lefa Aphane who scored his team’s third goal with a simple tap in after the goalkeeper had parried the ball back in to play. The halftime score was 3-0 to Tzaneen. PJ Stars came back stronger in the second half trying to get back in the game, however their efforts
were thwarted by a well coached Tzaneen side.
Tall centre-back Dumisani Mkhari increased the score for the Tzaneen side to 4-0 with a strong header from a corner kick. Few minutes later Tshepi Msiza made it 5-0. However Stars finally found their consolation goal towards the dying minutes of the game via Tyson Mathe. Tzaneen sealed their victory through a goal by substitute Mpe Mmatau who scored with a simple tap in.
Coach Peace Khosa was happy with his team’s performance and said “Our aim is to qualify for last 32”.
Meanwhile, in other games the previous season’s last 16 contenders Mpheni Defenders almost failed to qualify for the provincial semifinals this season after they won their game against Coach Musa Nkondo’s Vondwe side 5-4 on penalties. The game had ended in a 1-1 stalemate in normal time with Mpheni equalizing in the dying minutes of the game.
In Xhikukwani stadium coach Mpho Maleka’s Giyani Happy Boys were edged out of the competition on penalties by United Artist who won the game 4-2 on penalties after the game had ended with a 2-2 draw.
However, Artist were later eliminated by Madritas on penalties after the game ended in a 0–0 draw in full-time. Ngwaabe City Motors joined Mpheni Defenders, Tzaneen United and Madritas in the Provincial Semi and finals scheduled to take place this Saturday at a neutral venue.
Tzaneen winger dribbles a Stars player during a Nedbank Cup game last Saturday.
Top player Lefa Aphani gave a man of the match performance in his side’s 6-1 demolishing of PJ Stars last Sunday.
Siyabonga Vilani scored a brace in his side’s 6-1 victory over PJ Stars last Sunday