Thursday, 30 April 2015


United regain its form again


The second round has been no child’s play for Mbombela United. The log leaders have been struggling with goals and regaining their first round and usual form. United came back with a bang and celebrated their freedom day in style when they thrashed FC Benfica a heart breaking 6-1 in the afternoon of freedom day at Thulamahashe stadium. This was indeed a breakthrough for united after the struggle they faced from their first game of the second round. Mbombela has been recently struggling with form that allows them to play the football they are used to and score many goals like they did in the first round. It seems to be the case that mbombela has regained freedom on the very same day as South Africans after their second round struggle.
The game started off just fine with a cool and calm weather, favourable for a game of football. From the very first minute you could see that fans were thrilled with mbombela’s performance. Mlungisi’s massive shot was too hot to be saved by the goalkeeper, which saw united leading in the early 5th minute of the game, a classy goal you can call it. Benfica was demoralised by the early conceding but remained strong while united kept on fighting for another goal and made the defenders sweat. Just when benfica’s defenders thought they had it Masukupunished them from a beautiful striking and made it 2-0 for united. Sipho was forced out in the late 30th minute of the game due to an injury. United had to bring in Nkanyiso which turned out positively following nkanyiso’s great performance which saw him scoring united’s 3rd goal just before the end of first half.

While united came back looking for more goals, Benfica was reluctant of a loss and hoped for 3 goals to equalize, this was just a dream that the hosts didn’t want to wake up to. At this point of the game you could have referred to united as Blomfontein Celtics and Benfica as MamelodiSundows. The hosts fought and finally their hard work paid as they scored in the early minutes of second half to make it 3-1. United didn’t give benfica the chance to stay happy with their goal as Masuku scored his brace and made it 4-1. From this moment united didn’t give benfica the chance to play or even attempt to visit their goalkeeper area. More goals just kept on coming for united as Issac ‘nana’ made it 5-1 few minutes after Masuku’s brace. This became obvious that united has won the game even magic couldn’t have happened at that moment. Mbombela seemed to have been enjoying their freedom and making the opponents sweat and suffer. United’s 6th goal by Bongane ‘Ronaldo’ in the late minutes of the game was a finish off. United regained its form and benfica was just unfortunate to have suffered the consequences. The victory was overwhelming for the log leaders, fans couldn’t stop singing and praising their boys for such a win after a long time. United’s coach couldn’t hide his joy as he wrote on social networks “Sekuselekancanesingeneendumiswenibafanabami, am very proud ngabafanabami be mbombela united, keep it up boys” with united’s logo as his profile picture. Clearly united is beginning to see play offs at the end of the tunnel. The log leders still have 4 more games to go with 64 points on top of the log.

  

Tuesday, 28 April 2015

weekend fixtures for the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League




Mpumalanga log standings of the ABC Motsepe league




Photo gallery: FC Benfica v/s Mbombela United (full time score:1-6)


















Mbombela punished City Stars again

Evidence Mahlalela
Despite trashing city stars a heart breaking 1-0 just before the end of last year mbombela knew they were on for a tough one as they faced Barberton City Stars over the weekend.  City stars was beaten home just before last year’s Christmas holidays and now the Barberton boys were out to revenge. Mbombela is not easily beaten at their home ground however city stars was very determined to be the second team to beat united this season. United kept city stars dreaming after slaughtering the Barberton boys by two goals to nil at Kanyamazane stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Though Mbombela might be winning, it’s evident that the log leaders are still struggling with goals and their players are not gelling together instead play for their own benefit not that of the team. As crucial as the second stage is you expect the unexpected so it would be best if players be one and play as a team rather than playing to impress. Such mentality kept united struggling to find an early lead following that many of the opportunities they had were never converted. City stars tried for few chances, however united was defensively solid. Dingani Maphosa was denied a beautiful corner to goal by the referee in the early minutes of the first half. Beside the denied goal both teams failed to find the net and went to a goalless first half.

With the goalless first half mbombela decided to make changes in the second half introducing Mlungisi for Sipho. This change impacted mbombela’s side positively while it punished city stars following mlungisi’s beautiful first touches that led to united finding a lead. Masuku’s goal gave mbombela the momentum they just needed because they couldn’t stop attacking. While united started enjoying the game the visitors were under a lot of pressure seeking for an equalizer hence united had to take off all its defenders before they could score because united’s defence was doing a phenomenal job. City stars kept on pushing for a goal but Simiso did a marvellous job making super saves. When stars thought they had lost 1-0 again Masuku scored his brace and made it 2-0 for united as they gave was about to unfold. Masuku’s late goal gave united a 2-0 win. From the coach to the chairmen of mbombela you could see the yoke was taken off them comparing the state they were in at the beginning of the game this was indeed a relief.  Rather than being in denial like some do, coach Mfanimpela is being as honest as possible about the toughness of the second round and that the teams are giving them hard time this time around but that his side will keep on fighting like the lions they resemble. A defeat is not easy to accept but stars accepted and they were very happy with their side’s performance though it didn’t go their way, they just accepted that the best team of the day won.

Thursday, 23 April 2015

Monday, 20 April 2015

Mbombela United's NFD dream so close

Evidence Mahlalela

The second round has become a path with thorns for Mbombela United following their struggle in second round matches. Though mbombela manages to win it is a fact that the log leaders are struggling especially with goals. United managed to beat many teams so easily in the first round scoring many goals but now things took a turn for the worst. On Saturday united had a tough one against Lynville All Stars FC at Witbank, this is the very same team they beaten 9-0 in the first round. Despite Lyniville being on the 13th spot on the log and have conceded many goals in the past recent matches, the struggling lynville managed to show mbombela how they have improved and how they are resistant of a home lose.
The game initiated so well, a very cold weather and this was advantageous to the host due to the fact that the opponents are not used to such weather as Mbombela City is hot. Not even the weather could have hampered united's missions because they gave their all from the beginning however lynville was literally on top of them. Mbombela created more chances from the start but none converted. The log leaders seemed to have done something wrong somewhere. United's game was not usual, lynville had them in their tips of the fingers and made them go their way. Mbombela was all over the place like they did not know what was expected of them. The hosts made the log leaders sweat like they were in a cup final. Lynville did not have any promising chances while united had a lot unfortunately they were of no use following their failure to convert. After tans of chances Mxolisi Mayongo managed to come from defence to give united a 1 nil lead in the late minutes of first half. 
The second round resumed with united leading by a goal to nil, united also made changes, bringing in Bednog Manyike, Bongane Ndlovu and Nkanyiso. Lyniville came back more powerful in the second half as they began to create promising chances and penetrated united's defence however their chances were not enough to find them an equalizer. 
Inky Masuku had many opportunities but failed due to poor decision making when he's in charge of the ball. The moment things got tougher everyone from United’s side wished Masuku could have done better when he had the chance. A 1-0 lead is always stressful so it was for the log leaders as lynville started attacking and visiting more in United’s defence.
Lynvile never gave up but kept trying till the last minute as united conquered the game by 1-0. The final three whistle blow was a relieve to mbombela's side as things were getting more tough hence lynville could have equalized in any minute.  Joy was filled within the coach of Mbombela United, you could see his face lighting up after a tough game they had, and clearly a win is what he was hoping for not even a draw could have stayed well from him in such crucial time of the season. Mbombela currently sit on 58 points with 6 games to go and still leading the log table.



photo gallery: Lynville All Stars v/s Mbombela united (0-1)


















Thursday, 16 April 2015

weekend fixtures for ABC Motsepe League in Mpumalanga Province



Monday, 13 April 2015


photo gallery: Mbombela United v/s Secunda Stars FC (1-0)