League

Zombies Town
Spectators: 7600 (Terracing: 6000, Seating: 1500, VIP seats: 100) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Ismail Okpara took the kick off in the first half of the match. Norman Qabi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Steve Melele, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Meshack Fortuin charged in rather forcefully in the 3rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Meshack Fortuin the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Meshack Fortuin kicked well hit freekick during the 3rd minute of the match. Ismail Okpara sent away a hard shot on goal in the 6th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Norman Qabi was out of position in the 9 minute of play, and Steve Melele capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Steve Melele really showed his touch with that goal: 1-0. 13 minutes into the game, Tebogo Mhlathe cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Albert Mufadi was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After a rather tough play, Umzumbe's Meshack Fortuin got a free kick in the 16th minute. The audience thought a goal was coming when Johann Thompson got free with Norman Qabi in the 25th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 36 minutes into the match, Umzumbe's Boyisani Sephadi sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Albert Mufadi narrowly saved just below the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ismail Okpara in the 40th minute of play forced DISTRICT 9's goalkeeper Albert Mufadi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ismail Okpara scored 1-2 in the 40th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Albert Mufadi, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. In the 44th minute Tebogo Mhlathe shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Albert Mufadi saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After the first half Umzumbe were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Steve Melele made a kick off. In the 51st minute the ball was on its way in behind DISTRICT 9's goalkeeper Albert Mufadi, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Tebogo Mhlathe could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 55th minute of the match, but Albert Mufadi made a huge save. Albert Mufadi made a fantastic save in the 62nd minute, when Tebogo Mhlathe sent off a good shot on target. When Johann Thompson came up free with the goalie in the 64th minute, the DISTRICT 9 fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Johann Thompson couldn't finish the play. When Boyisani Sephadi fell near the penalty area in the 69th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Umzumbe's protests and gave Boyisani Sephadi a yellow card for diving instead. Johann Thompson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 71st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Tebogo Mhlathe struck a weak shot in the 73rd minute. Albert Mufadi didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Umzumbe. Patrice Maduna kicked well hit freekick during the 80th minute of the match. When the match clock showed 83 minutes, the score became 1-3 when Tebogo Mhlathe sped through DISTRICT 9's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Albert Mufadi. Ismail Okpara was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 86th minute. Umzumbe's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. A hard shot 88 in the game by Tebogo Mhlathe from a close distance when the talented Albert Mufadi managed to make a qualified save. DISTRICT 9's players were relieved. When Umzumbe's Ismail Okpara in the 93rd minute got a chance for a shot 93rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye DISTRICT 9's goalie prevented a goal. 96 minutes into the game, one of DISTRICT 9:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Umzumbe's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.