By Benjamin Makatu.
Village Hub FC hosted Novo FC at Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria Campus, Laduma stadium on Friday, March 13. A friendly encounter between rivals delivered a one sided affair that saw Village Hub FC emerge victorious with a commanding 4–1 win over Nova FC.
The match started with high impression as both sides looked hype to make an early statement. Nova FC settled quickly to lead in the first half when Mongezi Khanyi finished a well-constructed attack, calmly shooting the ball past the Village FC goalkeeper to make it 1–0.
NovoFc scoring their first goal
Photo credit: Sithabile Nsele
Village FC fought back strongly and managed to equalize midway through the first half. Gumede Sibongokuhle Mxolisi found space in the box and worked on a defensive mistake, firing the ball into the net to level the score at 1–1 and put more pressure towards Nova FC.
Village FC worked with determination Before the halftime whistle, Lesedi Mokgalakgadi restored the lead for Village FC with a composed finish after a quick attacking move. The goal gave Village FC a 2–1 advantage heading into the break.
In the second half, Village FC came out more organized and dominant in possession. Their pressure on the Nova FC defense soon paid off when a dangerous cross into the box forced a Nova defender into risk, resulting in an unfortunate own goal that extended Village FCs led to 3–1.
Novo FC trying so hard on the second half to score their corner kick
Photo credit: Sithabile Nsele
Mxolisi then brought off a brilliant individual performance by scoring his second goal of the match. After receiving a beautiful pass in the attacking third, he beat his marker and finished confidently to secure his brace and seal the victory for Village FC.
As the final whistle blew, Village FC celebrated a convincing 4–1 win in what was an entertaining and competitive friendly at Laduma Stadium.
Thabang Venter, head coach of Village FC said” I’m very much happy and proud of my boys with an amazing performance during this match, even though we struggled somehow but through the connection and the hardwork we put throughout the practice, it was the must to defeat the opposition team”.
Gumede Sibongokuhle Mxolisi, a Village FC forward player said” it was a difficult game and we just had to make sure that we use there mistakes to our advantage and produce more goals”. I can’t lie the had put more pressure on us on the first round but we had to fight for a win as always, he added.
Lesedi mokgalagadi, Village FC player says” it was not really a hard match because we came prepared, and we had just to put the tactics and the knowledge including all instructions we got from our coach to make it happen.”
LllVillageFC get a corner kick on the second half and they tried they best to move on the 18 box.
Photo credit: Sithabile Nsele
The match showcased strong attacking football, with Mxolisi’s brace and Lesedi Mokgalakgadi’s crucial goal proving decisive, while Mongezi Khanyi’s strike was the highlight for Nova FC.
