A stubborn Super Rovers steadfastly refused to swallow the poisonous bait that was being dished out by Black Poison and managed to share the spoils in their SAB League clash at Altrek sports ground on 15 February.
The game ended in a 1–1 stalemate.
It was the Rabie Ridge side that are languishing second from bottom in the league who were the first to draw blood in the tightly contested game that could have easily gone either way. Rovers’ David Kgwele registered his name on the score sheet in less than two minutes of the game when he beat Poison keeper Wandile Dhlamini.
Fourteen minutes later, Poison’s Mandla Dhlamini equalised with a diving header from a rebound ball that Rovers keeper Shimane Kekana had parried away but found the Poison man.
Poison could have easily won the game had their striker Arthur Manwadu not forgotten his striking boots at home. Each time Manwadu had an opportunity to shoot at goals, he decided not to take the responsibility and passed the buck to a teammate thereby allowing Rovers to thwart any danger. This happened on three occasions. The fourth time he had a one-on-one with the keeper but again chose to pass, giving the Rovers defence the chance to close down the space. It was no wonder the coach pulled him off in favour of Aleck Letsoela.
At the other end, Rovers twice thought they had found the winning goal but both of their efforts were ruled offside to the annoyance of their bench. In the dying minutes, Poison’s Thapelo Ramaila struck a tame shot straight to the keeper after which referee Florence Moshupye decided enough was enough and blew for full time.
Rovers coach Lebogang Phaka bemoaned the two goals ruled offside, saying they thought they had wrapped up the game but the referee decided otherwise. “This is what we always get when we come to Alex,” he claimed.
Although his team were languishing near the bottom of the log, Phaka said he was confident they would not be returning to the LFA league (local football association). “There is still about 44 points to fight for before the end of the season and I am confident we shall climb up the ladder to avoid relegation.”
His Poison counterpart Wiseman Nkabini blamed the lack of composure from his men when they got inside the box. “Not one of them wanted to take responsibility to shoot but instead they passed the ball on and on until they were closed down.”
Before this game, Poison had the same number of points as Eagles FC (36 points from 18 games apiece), but the birds of prey occupied second spot by virtue of a superior goal difference.
Eagles won their game earlier in the day and still remain in second spot on 39 points, now trailing log leaders Opopo FC by a mere three points while Poison remain in third spot with 37 points.
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