Royal AM claimed a slender 1-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the DStv Premiership match which was played at the Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Victor Letsoalo’s 10th league goal of the season earned Thwihli Thwahla the victory and they moved up to third place on the league standings, while Babina Noko remained eighth on the log.
The encounter started with a high tempo with both teams determined to grab an early goal and it was Thwihli Thwahla, who threatened first through their leading marksman Letsoalo.
Bafana Bafana international cut inside from the left and he unleashed a curling shot which was superbly finger-tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata with Babina Noko under siege.
Royal AM finished the first-half the stronger of the two teams with Sekhukhune giving away several set-pieces in their own-half and they were nearly punished by Lantshane Phalane from a free-kick.
Phalane, who scored in Royal AM’s win over Cape Town City in the Nedbank Cup clash on Saturday, placed his effort inches wide of the target on the stroke of halftime and the score was 0-0 at the interval.
Thwihli Thwahla continued from where they left off in the first-half and they managed to break the deadlock in the 49th minute when Letsoalo scored with a low shot to make it 1-0 to Royal AM.
Tebogo Potsane, who had provided the assist for Letsoalo’s goal, was then sent through on goal, but he was denied twice by Nsabata from close range as the hosts looked to double their lead.
This served as a wake-up call for Babina Noko and they were unlucky not to level matters when Willard Katsande’s fierce shot from range hit the woodwork with keeper Hugo Nyame well-beaten.
The momentum was with Sekhukhune in the latter stages of the game with Yusuf Maart forcing Nyame into a fine save and Royal AM then stood firm at the back, and ultimately, the hosts emerged 1-0 winners.
Royal (0) 1 (Letsoalo 49′)
Sekhukhune 0
Royal: Nyame, Mkhize, Matlaba, Manganyi, Nascimento (Mabuza 74′), Potsane (Mogaila 73′), Msomi (Mashikinya 81′), Phalane, Mahlasela (Ncobeni 73′), Machupu, Letsoalo (Mabena 84′).
Sekhukhune: Nsabata, Mobbie, Madonsela (Parusnath 85′), Chabalala, Gyimah, Maart (Leepile 84′), Katsande, Shai (Pantjie 61′), Mashumba (Mahlangu 61′), Cwinyane (Ledwaba 66′), Ohizu.
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