Two goals in the second half were enough for Gauteng FC to collect maximum points and bragging rights in the Alex derby against arch-rival, Setheo United in the SAB League.
Setheo were beaten 2–0 at the Alexandra Stadium, the first time that the two teams have come face-to-face after their last encounter in the semi-final of the Year-End Tournament of the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association turned violent when Setheo lost the game 2–1.
Read: Northrand finally comes to play
Setheo was heavily fined by the association’s disciplinary committee for the fracas at the Alexandra Stadium in December last year, which included a year-long ban in its participation in the tournament and the use of stadia in the association’s jurisdiction. The club is appealing the ban.
Bad blood was still evident between the teams on the field of play. The enemies settled for a goalless first half and it was Gauteng who drew first blood in the second half through the boot of Wandile Masingi, son of a famous Alex journalist Jimmy Masingi.
This goal spurred on Setheo who mounted raid after raid of the Gauteng goal area in search of an equaliser but were denied by an alert Gauteng defence.
The smart defending paid off and it was Gauteng who scored again when Sandile Zungu thundered a shot past the Setheo keeper.
Setheo coach Tshepo Mashatola, who was thrilled with the display of his charges, lamented the fact that the two goals they conceded came from what he described as ‘silly mistakes’ from his men.
Read: Alexandra Northrand Local Football AssociationYear-End final rescheduled
“We matched them pound for pound in the game and one time we were even stronger than them but we just couldn’t find the killer punch,” he said.
His Gauteng FC counterpart Sihle Ngcobo was thrilled with the quality displayed by both sides and said the handful of spectators were treated to a spectacular match.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match but I am happy that we won and we get to have the bragging rights of the derby,” he said.
