LIMPOPO MIRROR
16 4 April 2014 By Frank Mavhungu
By Kaizer Nengovhela
MMK draw for Tshikota Chelsea and Oscar Stars Tshikota Chelsea and Makhitha Oscar Stars played to 1-all draw in an important MMK Insurance Brokers match played at Tshikota on Saturday. The absence of Chelsea’s playmaker, Sharif Ramabulana, was evident from the onset as there was no one to win and
Skaka Makgopo of Chelsea “flies” high for the ball, and Chester Murwanthi keeps his eyes on the ball.
distribute balls from the middle of the park to the goal poachers. Star’s front runners, Lucky Funyufunyu and Takalani Mbekwa, did not live up to the fans’ expectations and were tightly marked. Stars threatened to score in the 12th minute. Funyufunyu won the loose ball in the 35-meter area and unleashed a volley from just outside the penalty box. The ball missed the target by inches, much to the disappointment of the team’s fans. Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. The veteran player, Patrick Mulaudzi, won the ball just behind the centre line and ran towards the right
corner from where he dished up a square pass to Walter Murwanthi, who beat the Stars keeper, Faith Ratombo, with a ground cutter. The visitors from Makhitha knocked on their opponents’ door three minutes later. Itani Selota tried his luck from the edge of the box. Chelsea keeper, Thuli Mhlanga, stretched to the limit to execute a brilliant save. The half-time score was 1-0 in favour of Chelsea. Stars introduced John Marindi for Itani Selota. His introduction changed the run of the match as he distributed dangerous balls to his frontrunners. Chelsea were reduced to 10 men in the 74th minute. Patrick Mulaudzi handled the ball and, as it was his second bookable offence, he was shown red. The home team captain, Innocent Maphatha, handled the ball inside his penalty area and the referee pointed at the white spot. Stars’ keeper, Faith Ratombo, scored to make the score 1-1.
It is do-or-die for Leopards Black Leopards must beat Chippa United in order to enhance their chances of winning the league title when they meet in their all-important NFD match at the Philipi Stadium in Cape Town this evening (Friday). Chippa are currently leading the pack with 51 points, seven ahead of the Thohoyandou outfit. Should Leopards lose the match, they can
David Zulu. Chester Murwanthi of Chelsea stops the ball, with Skaka Walter Murwanthi of Chelsea controls the header, Makgopo jumping into the air. while Godwin Mahuwa is ready to attack. By Silas Nduvheni
Rural Majiga Chess Club wants to produce champions Two former chess champions started a club for the youth at Ha-Tshisele village last year and are hoping that they will produce many champions. Best Rannenyeni was the chess champion in Gauteng and Muthupei Mauba is a former Limpopo chess champion, who also played chess overseas. The club is situated in the Majiga tavern and was initially started to keep the youngsters busy over the weekends.
“We are now a group of about 30 people who gather every weekend at the Majiga tavern to play chess. It helps to release stress and our youngsters’ power to concentrate is improving” According to Rannenyeni, the chairperson of the club, chess players perform well at school in subjects such as maths and science because they can concentrate for long periods. “We are also visiting nearby schools,
telling them about the chess skills we can transfer to them,” added Rannenyeni. One of the members of the club, Itani Mulaleni, said playing chess had made him and others more open-minded and they were always busy, even during weekends. Rannenyeni is appealing to chess lovers and school children interested in learning the skills to phone him at 076 396 2216.
Some of the members of Majiga Chess Club.
forget about bringing the league title to Thohoyandou and start preparing for the promotional playoffs. The team that will finish the league programme on top of the log will gain automatic promotion to the Absa Premiership Division, while the next two and the second-last team in the Absa Premiership will be engaged in the promotional play-offs to determine the second team to be promoted to the elite league. According to the assistant coach of Leopards, Mr Joel Masutha, the spirit is high in their camp after beating Maluti FET College 3-1 at the Charles Mopedi Stadium last Saturday. Masutha confirmed that their leading goal scorer, David Zulu, will be available for selection this afternoon. Zulu was out of action for two weeks as a result of injury. Jomo Cosmos and Vasco da Gama will meet in Thembisa tomorrow. Thanda Royal Zulu will undertake a journey to FC Cape to rub shoulders at the NNK Rugby Stadium. Roses United will have a date with Blackburn Rovers. Baroka must beat Witbank Spurs in order to keep their hopes of taking part in the promotional playoffs alive. They will battle it out at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Sunday will see African Warriors take on Santos, Milano United and Sivutsa Stars will meet and the Maluti FET College will visit United FC at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg.
By Frank Mavhungu
Mabena steers Rospa to victory Kenneth “Mabena” Lesia’s goal 2-0 at the Makwarela Stadium. Joe’s was good enough to earn Rospa Express dropped two steps down on United three points at the expense the log following the defeat. They of Mosesetjane All Stars. are now in the 10th position with The Safa second division match 24 points. was played at the University of Just like Basel and Phungo, All Venda Stadium on Saturday. Rospa Stars are also in a dangerous position. United moved one step up on the log, They are in the second-last position following the victory, and are now on the log with only 11 points. This in the 12th position with 20 points follows their 0-1 defeat at the hands accumulated from 18 outings. of Dynamos. Mighty FC could not Bellevue Winners Park dropped absorb the pressure from Winners points in front of their home support- Park, who beat them 2-0 in Seshego. ers. They drew 1-1 with Modimole Great North FC shared the spoils Aces at the Lulekani Stadium in with Ray Pillars, following their 2-2 Phalaborwa. draw at the Oscar Mphetha Stadium. Basel FC will need a miracle to escape relegation. They lost again last Saturday. The Dolphins beat Basel 3-1 at the Eldorado Stadium in Polokwane. Basel are rooted at the bottom of the log with only 6 points. Magezi FC forfeited their leadership to Blue Rocks after losing 1-2 to Giyani Hotspurs. They were leading the pack for two weeks until last Saturday. Blue Rocks are now shining on top of the log after beating Joe’s Express Kenneth “Mabena” Lesia.