Winnerspark and Mpheni players battle for the ball during the two sides ABC Motsepe league game at Mpheni Village in Elim last weekend
By: Refilwe Sebola
ABC Motsepe league side Mpheni Defenders’s dominance over Winnerspark in competitive football seems to be far from being over.
The last year provincial champions have once again continued their dominance over the Bellevue based side with a hard fought 3-1victory at home in Mpheni Village last Saturday afternoon. This was the third time the two sides met in an official league match in which the Elim based side won all of them.
The visitors started the game well in the first half dominating the game in all aspects but missed clear scoring opportunities. They outclassed the home side in the midfield with their intricate passing game to the approval of some Mpheni supporters who were cheering them for the better part of the first half. Winnerspark eventually got their well deserved goal in the 25th minutes of the first half via the boot of Endlani Chabalala who scored with a brilliant shot from inside the big box. However their celebration was short-lived after the home side were awarded a penalty decision 15 minutes later after their defender was adjudged to have tripped a Mpheni striker inside the big box which was converted by Fistas Magodimisa.
The game went to recess deadlocked at 1-1. Winnerspark came back stronger in the second half and completely mesmerized the Mpheni back four on counter attack but poor finishing led them down.
They were however made to pay for missing their opportunities when top striker Rankoko Tau netted with a well educated header to give the home side a 2-1 lead in the 74th minute of the game. The former Pretoria Callies striker completed his brace six minutes later with a world class volley past the Winnerspark goalkeeper at full stretch.
The goal completely paralyzed the visitors who were crying foul over the standard of officiating by the referees of the day. Their head coach Abel Makhubele echoed their frustration after the game “I must say congratulations to the boys. we fought a good fight even though there were some forces that were against us but the players did well. They got a penalty which is nonexistent and it dumpened the spirit of the players” he said.
“All the fouls against the opposition were not cautioned. Something has to be done with the match officials because this (their decisions) changed everything. I was hoping that this is the first game were we will end their dominance over us but like I said certain aspects decides the game” he added. The victory elevated Mpheni to top spot in on the log with six points.