Young Chiefs crush Napoli FC 1-0 in derby

By Frank Mavhungu

Ngwenani Young Chiefs proved beyond doubt that they are the elder brothers of Napoli FC, whom they beat 1-0 in their Safa Vhembe Regional League match that was played at the Ngwenani Grounds on Sunday.

The game started 30 minutes later than the scheduled 15:00 kick-off time. At that stage, a debate raged between the two camps over the legitimacy of the registration of some of the players.

The game was a typical derby from the onset to the end. Young Chiefs approached the game with their tails up, forcing the defenders of Napoli to perform overtime duties.

fered the pain of watching it go beyond his reach.

Napoli came back from the half-time break with renewed self-confidence. They created numerous scoring chances in the first 15 minutes of the last stanza, but their strikers let them down by shooting aimlessly from close range.

This forced Young Chiefs to abandon their positions and play defensive football.

Both sides effected some changes to their starting line-ups but that did not change the complexion of the game as Napoli had continued to knock on the Chiefs’ door until the last minute.

Madombidzha

Try Again registered a 3-0 victory at the expense of Madombidzha Western Stars in their Safa Vhembe SAB league match played at Madombidzha on Saturday.

Try Again made their intentions clear from the onset. They were unlucky not to find the net during the first half. They missed their first chance in the 11th minute, when Adivhawo Ligavha’s ground-cutter missed the goal mouth by inches.

Realising that their scoring chances were slim, Stars abandoned their positions and packed themselves at the back. That gave Try Again a good opportunity to dictate terms in all departments.

Try Again had another cause for regret when their killer striker, Hulisani Mbodi, shot wide from close range after receiving a neat pass from Sibosiso Ramalata. Try Again’s first goal came via Zwanga Tshikumbana, and the score remained 1-0 until the half-time whistle blew.

The second half saw Try Again pressing hard in their search for more goals. Kamogelo Rethabele and Tumi Mpfumba combined well, which led to Mpfumba’s goal.

Thabo Matuba of Stars should have reduced the margin after receiving a good pass from Netshedzo Mavhungu, but his shot went wide.

What followed thereafter was a one-way flow of traffic, with Stars chasing the action. Try Again increased the tally when Mpfumba completed his brace.

The keeper of Young Chiefs, Tshifhiwa Rasivhaga, denied Napoli what would have been a spectacular goal. Phindulo Tshihume went loose from the right corner and unleashed a powerful half volley from the edge of the box. Rasivhaga braved the shot and palmed the ball away for a corner kick.

The goal that earned Young Chiefs three significant points came in the 39th minute. Their overlapping defender, Muvhofhololi Ngwana, tried his luck with a long-range aerial shot. The keeper of Napoli, Ndangulo Mudau, misjudged the flight of the ball and suf-