Indlovu turns on the style to beat Super Rovers in Midrand derby
Indlovu had Rovers rattled from the outset, benefiting from slick passing, high intensity, and a willingness to take risks in possession.
Indlovu FC sealed a dramatic Safa Joburg regional league comeback as they downed 10-man Midrand rivals Super Rovers FC 3–1 on January 26.
The Midrand derby saw Rabie Ridge Stadium packed to the rafters. The match started in cagey fashion, as both sides looked to test each other out in the middle of the field, without any chances at either end.
Indlovu, as the home side, had Rovers rattled from the outset, benefiting from slick passing, high intensity, and a willingness to take risks in possession.
Midfield maestros Sipho Gwaqubana repeatedly caused problems for Rovers’ defence, with Shanon Booysen and Minitle Ragimana pulling the strings on both flanks.
The visitors struggled to gain a foothold in the opening 15 minutes and were restricted to opportunities on the counter-attack in which they failed to register an attempt.
The first shot for Rovers came from a set piece after 20 minutes. Mahlogonolo Malebana had a good chance but Indlovu keeper Ndivhuwo Mawela saved it at the far post. After that, the goalkeeper had to make another excellent save from a one-on-one with Kabelo Modiba.
Rovers broke the deadlock on 27 minutes after a goalmouth scramble saw Mawela fumble the ball into the back of the net from an in-swinger left-footed corner from Khauhelo Moqechana.
Rovers showed some spirit with Marcus Damons having an effort blocked by Lukhanyo Mapeyi and Zwelihle Kwela’s header extending Mawela.
The visitors were made to regret not taking their chances as Indlovu levelled matters out of the blue in the 35th minute.
When Sello Kgodu cleared the ball from the middle, Xolani Skhosana surged forward and intimidated Rovers’ goalkeeper Itumeleng Letwaba into miskicking the ball, giving Skhosana time to finish without a keeper in the goals.
The visitors struggled to recreate the verve they showed earlier and Letwaba was forced to produce a superb flying save to keep out Ragimana’s rocket strike from the edge of the box, then stepped up again to stop Gwaqubana’s effort before watching Booysen fire over after gliding past Rovers’ tackles.
Having soaked up the pressure, Indlovu got a killer second goal on the stroke of halftime.
The players expertly manoeuvred the ball from back to front, and, after Letwaba palmed Ragimana’s shot out, Mahlatse Meko reacted first before juggling the ball onto his left foot and converting.
In the second half, Rovers brought on Randy Mackay as a substitute, and he was almost instantly rewarded when Mawela palmed away a shot from him.
Skhosana threatened shortly after when a determined run ended with a curled effort just wide, while the lively Gwaqubana struck the side netting.
Tempers started to fray between both rivals in the 75th minute when Rovers were reduced to 10 men after Damons was red-carded following two yellows.
Gwaqubana’s defence-splitting pass found Samkelo Manyika on the right and he put the ball on a plate for Booysen and the Indlovu talisman signed off the game with a finish of his own, curling the ball from the edge of the box into the top right corner.
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