Three second-half goals secured a comfortable 3-0 win for KwaZulu-Natal over the Eastern Cape on day two of the SAB Under-21 National Championship at Giant Stadium.
Three second-half goals secured a comfortable 3-0 win for KwaZulu-Natal over the Eastern Cape on day two of the SAB Under-21 National Championship at Giant Stadium in Shoshanguve on Tuesday.
Two straight defeats meant the game was a must win for KZN who battled through a cagey first 45 to secure all three points.
Man of the match Njabulo Mazibuko opened the scoring in the 59th minute, controlling with his chest before firing past Kwanele Bidi in the Eastern Cape goal.
Nduduzo Mkhize pounced from a corner-kick to double KwaZulu-Natal’s advantage three minutes later beofre Jabulani Ndlamanze made sure of all three points with nine minutes of regulation time remaining.
The pint-sized midfielder lost his marker before heading the ball into the corner of the net, 3-0.
Next up for KZN is a clash with the impressive USSA Football, while the Eastern Cape will be out to break Limpopo’s 100 per cent record on Wednesday.
Limpopo edge North West
Limpopo made it two wins from two at the SAB Under-21 National Championship at Giant Stadium in Shoshanguve with a 2-1 win over the North West province on Tuesday.
Having thumped KwaZulu-Natal 4-1 early on day two, the North West were looking to move top of Group B with another convincing display against their neighbours.
Beaming from their opening day win, Limpopo were the dominant side in the opening exchanges and were unlucky not to take the lead with 28 minutes on the clock.
Calvin Mashava’s corner-kick was well met by Mpho Matlowa at the near post, his audacious flick had the beating of Daniel Ngomane, but not the crossbar.
Matlowa would again be denied by the woodwork moments later, this time the upright coming to the North West rescue.
Limpopo finally found the opener in the 34th minute, Vutomi Heaveman with the header at the back post, 1-0.
North West didn’t have to wait long to net the equaliser after the break, Shipo Sibiya’s strike leveling matters.
Limpopo continued to press for all three points and found the winner in the 79th minute – Heaveman completing his brace.
Next up for Limpopo is a game against the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, the 2014 runners-up North West will enjoy the day off.
Hosts Gauteng suffer third straight defeat
A brace from Bradley Okkers helped Western Cape to a 4-2 win over Gauteng on day two of the SAB Under-21 National Championship at Giant Stadium in Soshanguve on Tuesday.
For Gauteng a third straight defeat effectively ended their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages with a game against Mpumalanga to come.
Northern Cape and Free State sit top of Group A with six points apiece.
Eager to bounce back from their opening day defeat, the 2013 champions took the lead with two minutes on the clock – Okkers converting from 12 yards after Glenn Stephen Hahn was brought down inside the area.
The host province wouldn’t take long to respond, captain Melchisedec Tshwale leveling matters with an unstoppable right-footed shot which left Sipho Jacobs rooted to the spot three minutes later.
Hahn restored Western Cape’s lead in the 22nd minute, slipping the ball underneath the onrushing Kagiso Moreetsii after breaking through on goal.
Going behind again brought the best out of Gauteng who found the equaliser for the second time in the match three minutes later, Aviwe Mhlobo left with an easy finish following good work down the flank by Madala Malamule.
Okkers put Western Cape ahead for the umpteenth time two minutes before the break, to give the Cape side the edge heading into the tunnel.
Aushron Kruger made sure of the result in the 83rd minute as Western Cape gained valuable momentum ahead of their derby match against the Northern Cape on Wednesday.