League

Stadium Thusano
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) FC Diphini's Lebang Thabang started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sipho Nunes in the 3rd minute of play forced FC Diphini's goalkeeper Noxolo Mothobi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 5th match minute, Thusano was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alfred Shongwe to maneuver through the defense. Cornell Mangope sent away a hard shot on goal in the 6th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ivan Komani hit a great freekick 8 minutes into the match. Sipho Nunes fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 9th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Noxolo Mothobi having to interfere. If Sipho Nunes had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 12th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 17 minutes into the match, FC Diphini's goalkeeper Noxolo Mothobi had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Alfred Shongwe. If Rafael Josephs had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 19th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Cornell Mangope sent away a hard shot on goal in the 25th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Sipho Nunes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 27th minute. Noxolo Mothobi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Mabusela Sono sent away a hard shot on goal in the 33rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Rafael Josephs's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 34thth minute, Noxolo Mothobi skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. If Rafael Josephs had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 39th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Sipho Nunes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 41st minute. Noxolo Mothobi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Noxolo Mothobi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sipho Nunes in the 45th minute of play. Johann Smith showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lebang Thabang, who was totally free with the ball in the 47th minute. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

After a defensive mix-up in FC Diphini's zone, Rafael Josephs stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Noxolo Mothobi came out of the goal and Rafael Josephs tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 66th minute, Rafael Josephs got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Noxolo Mothobi came out of the goal in the 67th minute to try and stop a shot by Thusano's Rafael Josephs. But to his dismay, Rafael Josephs quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-0. Sipho Nunes's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Noxolo Mothobi read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 72nd minute of play. If Sipho Nunes had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 75th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Thusano's Mabusela Stoltz got a free kick in the 76th minute. In the 78th minute, Mabusela Sono hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Cornell Mangopes short, quick shot in the 79thth minute got Johann Smith to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. 84 minutes into the match, FC Diphini's goal looked a bit too open when Rafael Josephs came free, but Noxolo Mothobi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After having played for 87 minutes, Rafael Josephs managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Thusano's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rafael Josephs was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 89thth minute of the game Sipho Nunes who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but FC Diphini's Noxolo Mothobi was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. FC Diphini's Noxolo Mothobi played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Sipho Nunes in the 93rd minute of play. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Thusano had played much better football throughout.