Diepsloot Arsenal cut gap on Opopo FC with a win against Spoilers
MIDRAND — Having lost to Diepsloot, Spoilers now sit in fourth place with 32 points, as they prepare for their next league clash against third-placed Super Rovers FC on April 2.
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Mduduzi Manyama and Thakalani Zwane scored to earn Diepsloot Arsenal a 2–0 away win over Midrand’s Spoilers FC, closing the gap on Opopo FC at the top of the Johannesburg Men’s Regional League table.
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The match took place at Rabie Ridge stadium on March 26. Diepsloot had the better of the first half, with Manyama and Andile Mapela both having their chances denied by Spoilers keeper Lebogang Ngqola.
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Zwane opened the scoring on seven minutes when he smashed in a goal inside the box after Manyama’s cross found Mpela to lay a sitter for the strike.
After conceding the first goal, Ngqola was unable to stop Manyama from striking a low shot after dribbling past two Spoilers defenders inside the box.
In the dying stages of the first half, Tshepo Mokoena could have tripled Diepsloots’ advantage, but he dragged his shot wide after being gifted the ball by Ngqola who was out of position.
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As the match progressed after halftime, Spoilers also gained traction and Avuyile Mancasa nearly scored when he narrowly missed an opportunity to convert a one-on-one against Diepsloot’s keeper Xolani Mathabatha.
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While Spoiler attempted to claw their way back into the game, Diepsloot continued to frustrate their hosts and maintained the upper hand in ball possession.
Both keepers came to the rescue of their respective teams in the end as Mathabatha did well to keep out Gilbert Mathosa’s swirling effort before Ngqola denied Zwane from close range
Diepsloot Arsenal sits in second place on the league table after winning 13 games, drawing seven, and remaining unbeaten in 20 matches.
Having lost to Diepsloot, Spoilers has dropped to fourth place with 32 points as they prepare for their next league clash against third-placed Super Rovers FC on April 2.