League Play-Off

Umzumbe
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Umzumbe's Ismail Okpara 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. A collision led to Merinowelk getting a freekick after 5 minutes play. Basil Madiya hit a great ball. Ismail Okpara sent away a hard shot on goal in the 8th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The audience thought a goal was coming when Tebogo Mhlathe got free with Steve Mokatimi in the 9th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Mpho Klein blasted a shot towards the goal in the 10th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Norman Qabi having to make a save. Steve Mokatimi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ismail Okpara, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Norman Qabi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mpho Klein, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 22 minutes into the match, Umzumbe's goal looked a bit too open when Alpheus Strauss came free, but Norman Qabi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mpho Klein's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Norman Qabi read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 26th minute of play. Norman Qabi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mpho Klein, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The audience was convinced that Ismail Okpara's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Steve Mokatimi was relentless in the 33rd minute of the game. Ismail Okpara received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 36th minute. Steve Mokatimi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Tebogo Mhlathe recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 40th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Norman Qabi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Mpho Klein, who was totally free with the ball in the 44th minute. In the 46th minute, Tebogo Mhlathe left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Umzumbe fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Mpho Klein was the one to do the kick off. A collision led to Umzumbe getting a freekick after 57 minutes play. Boyisani Sephadi hit a great ball. Themba Melele was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 58th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. Steve Mokatimi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ismail Okpara, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 66th match minute, Merinowelk was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Godfrey Macheke to maneuver through the defense. If Tebogo Mhlathe had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 68th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 71 minutes into the match, Merinowelk's goal looked a bit too open when Ismail Okpara came free, but Steve Mokatimi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Norman Qabi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mpho Klein in the 73rd minute of play. 74 minutes into the game, Alpheus Strauss cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Norman Qabi was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After 77 played minutes Umzumbe got a freekick which was hit by Sam Macheke. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ismail Okpara in the 80th minute of play forced Merinowelk's goalkeeper Steve Mokatimi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Alpheus Strauss received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 82nd minute. Norman Qabi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 85th of the match, Mpho Klein tried to place the ball in the upper right corner, but Norman Qabi got in the way and made a wonderful save. In the 88th minute the ball was on its way in behind Merinowelk's goalkeeper Steve Mokatimi, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 90th minute Umzumbe were awarded a corner. Jason Takane went to the cornerflag to take it. Ismail Okpara fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 93rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Steve Mokatimi having to interfere. 94 minutes into the game, Lindo Okpara was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Merinowelk's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Umzumbe the free kick. Ismail Okpara fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 96th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Steve Mokatimi having to interfere. Neither set of supporters seemed pleased with the draw, but both teams had played equally well today.