20March 2019 – Polokwane United yesterday became the first team to beat Mikhado in the Limpopo ABC Motsepe Leaguein2019, as the former Magesi striker Thabiso Lesia scored on his second successive appearance for United at Rabali Stadium to win the top-of-the-table clash for the visitors on Tuesday, 19 March.
Following a relatively quiet opening half, the hosts took the lead three minutes intothe second half when Akani Maluleke converted a spot kick from six-yards out after a Polokwane United defender handled the ball inside the box.
Mikhado’s celebrations didn’t last longhowever asLesia,who scored more than 20 goals for United last season to help them to a fourth-place finish, showed his class and composure bylevelling the scores for the visitors.
After receiving a pass from Nakedi Chipu, he produced a series of dummy shots to create space for himself to shoot before driving his effort to the bottom left of Phophi’s goal.
The goal seemed to give United a new lease on life as the visitors seemed to generate scoring chances every time they went forward.
United kept asking serious questions ofMikhado’s defence and their resilience finally paid off. With 10 minutes left innormal time the veteran goalkeeper Phophi, came off his line in an attempt to fist away a dipping free kick from the left but was beaten to it by David Malesa. The strikerrose highest to nod in a winner and complete a memorable comeback for the visitors, ending Ikwasha Fhedzi’s three-month unbeaten record.
The results saw the two teams swap places, Mikhado dropped to third place with 41 points whileUnited climbed up to second place with 42 points, only three points behind league leaders Madritas who host sixth-placed Boyne Tigers Wednesdayat Oscar Mpetha Stadium.
Click hereto view the full midweek results and updated league table.