21 November 2018 – Ndengeza reasserted themselves as the dominant local force as goals from Teago Simango and Lehlohonolo Manana secured a 2-1 Limpopo ABC Motsepe League victory over derby rivals Giyani Hotspurs on Saturday, 17 November.
In four games between the two teams, Hotspurs are yet to win a game.
It was a well-deserved victory for Ndengeza as they were, by far, the more enterprising and more effective in going about their business.
On paper, Ndengeza were the favourites to claim the maximum points, and it was Genola Mashele’s team who were the first to kick into gear and grabbed the initiatives with an early lead which handed them control.
Simango’s 11th-minute volley from a Matimu Tshabalala’s corner kick was his first Limpopo ABC Motsepe League goal since joining Ka Tika earlier this year in the second round of the 2017/2018 season.
Half an hour later, the 25-year-old centre-back turned from a hero to villain when he slipped inside his box whilst attempting a lunging tackle on the forward Fumani Mabaso and left his goalkeeper exposed in a one-on-one situation with the striker.
Mabaso then kept a cool-head and slotted the ball past the on-rushing Ndengeza shot-stopper Asanda Gqeba.
With barely 10 minutes on the field, substitute Lehlohonolo Manana restored Ndengeza’s lead in the 69th-minute with a beautiful team goal as Bennie Lebea’s cross found him unmarked in the last pole to slot in a free header from close-range.
“It was a very important win for us,” Ndengeza FC head coach Genola Mashele told SAFA.net. “I am very happy for the three points and more happy for the performance by our new look team”.
Ndengeza will make a short-trip to Groblersdal on Saturday, 24 November to face Ditlou whilst Hotspurs will be taking on the defending champions and league leaders The Dolphins in Giyani Stadium.
Click here to view the Limpopo ABC Motsepe League table.