Makana Rhini United (Maru) beat City Pirates in a thrilling soccer derby at Fiddler's Green on Saturday 20 January.
The match was a South African Football Association SAB Cacadu Regional League fixture.
Makana Rhini United (Maru) beat City Pirates in a thrilling soccer derby at Fiddler's Green on Saturday 20 January.
The match was a South African Football Association SAB Cacadu Regional League fixture.
Things looked one-sided as Maru took a 4-1 lead at the half-time break. However, some stern talking at half-time did Pirates the world of good: they fired in two second-half goals, forcing the crowd to their edge of their seats as they fought for the equaliser. Maru’s star of the game was Papi Nondlwana, who scored all four goals for his side.
Maru won 4-3 after leading 4-1 at the half-time break. Maru were first to score in the 15th minute. The City Pirates defender did well to slow down the Maru striker in the box, as more Maru players retreated.
However, Maru still managed a few passes including one to the far post. This found Nondlwana, who made no mistake, as his strike found the back of the net.
Pirates immediately took play into Maru’s half, where Unathi Mantolo evened matters out.
He took a shot at goal from just outside the box area to outmanoeuvre the Maru keeper.
Nondlwana scored his second in the 28th minute as a shot was made at goal, only to be saved by a diving Pirates keeper.
However, the keeper lost the ball as he fell and Nondlwana was on the spot to tap the ball into the goal mouth. Nondlwana scored his hat trick some five minutes later.
A good forward ball from Maru landed in front of a chasing Maru and a Pirates player.
The Maru player was brought down in what looked like a foul from Pirates, but the ref waved play on.
The grounded Maru player recovered, sending in a great pass which found Nondlwana. Nondlwana didn't hesitate, beating the keeper to it for the third time.
It was Nondlwana again who just happened to be in the right spot shortly before half-time, after a corner kick off a Maru striker. It found Nondlwana who kept up the trend, taking his side to a 4-1 lead into half-time.
The beginning-of-season fitness levels of both sides began to show in the second half, as play slowed down. Pirates did not give up and scored their second in the 18th minute of the second half.
This time it was Zolani Swartbooi who beat the keeper to it. The Pirates keeper made a number of good saves to keep the Maru players from scoring in the second half.
One bounced off the keeper's chest and fell back towards the goal line before a quick dive saved the goal. Donovan September scored Pirates’ third goal as tension grew and Pirates realised they could get an equaliser.
With dozens of spectators cheering them on, Pirates offered a few more attempts – only for the shots to go wide as the whistle blew. Maru won 4-3. sport@grocotts.co.za
