Malandela 0-2 Neasm: Austina Mashego’s brace gives Neasm first league win
Austina Mashego scores a brace to secure a 2-0 win for Neasm Academy despite playing with only ten men.
Neasm Academy secured their first victory of the 2023/24 Safa Joburg Mens Regional League season in a thrilling away fixture against Malandela Mighty Heroes at Alexandra Stadium on November 18.
Austina Mashego, with his exceptional skills, scored a brace to secure a 2-0 win for his team despite playing with only ten men in the latter stages of the match.
The Midrand side is in eighth position on the league table with four points, having won one, lost one, and drawn one of their league matches.
After a two-all draw against Ranger and a humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Opopo FC, Neasm was determined to bounce back and redeem themselves.
The match began with Malandelas’ Aviwe Gezengane testing Neasm keeper, Amogelang Sibisi, with a powerful shot from the edge of the box, setting the tone for the encounter.
In response, Neasm immediately launched a counterattack, and after a few moments, Mashego displayed his impressive skills by dribbling past several defenders before finding Ernest Ngobeni, who then passed the ball to Bethan Makombe. However, the latter’s effort went wide.
The first half was characterised by a tense and cautious play, with neither team managing to create clear-cut chances.
After 30 minutes, Mashego finally broke the deadlock, capitalising on a Malandelas’ defensive error to score a stunning volley.
Malandela tried to mount a comeback, but Neasm’s defence was resolute and stood firm.
Neasm also had a few opportunities to extend their lead, but Makombe missed a golden chance to score, heading the ball over the bar.
In the second half, Malandela came out stronger and created more chances. However, they were unable to find a way past Neasm’s organised backline.
Malandelas’ Otlotleng Kutu had a couple of opportunities to level the score, but he failed to hit the target.
However, Malandela were to regret their missed chances as Mashego then scored his second goal of the match with a delicate chip that found Malandela’s keeper, Philane Nxumalo, out of position.
Malandela’s woes were better aided when Neasm’s Karabo Ramoshaba received his second booking following bad language use towards the referee and a reckless tackle earlier on, leaving Neasm with ten men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Neasm held on to secure a vital victory away from home.
Malandela now finds themselves at position 10 of the league table with only three points after three matches.
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