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.