Mhawu United FC Held To 1-1 Draw By Young Movers At Ntjanini

Mhawu United FC hosted Young Movers FC at Ntjanini Sports Ground on 23 November 2025, with kick-off at 2:00pm in a league fixture that ended in a 1-1 stalemate after 90 minutes of competitive football. The home side, Mhawu United, shared the spoils with their visitors in front of a modest crowd of 56 spectators.

Mhawu United lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, deploying a solid defensive unit with Sandziso Dlamini in goal. The back four consisted of Bahle Masuku at right back, Mangaliso Dlamini and Philani Mkhatshwa as central defenders, and Sandza Shabangu covering the left flank. Sitting just ahead of the defence was Siphelele Simelane in a holding midfield role, tasked with breaking up opposition attacks and distributing the ball efficiently. Ahead of him, Philani Sikhondze operated on the right wing, while Mthobisi Dlamini took up the left attacking midfield position, both expected to support the front line and create chances. The attacking trio featured Bonkhe Dlamini on the right forward position, Sibotho Sithole leading the line as the central striker, and Mndeni Mamba on the left forward role. Nkosephayo Mamba and Mncobi Dlamini were named in the bench

The match began with both sides probing cautiously, but it was clear that Mhawu United’s 4-1-2-3 setup aimed to control midfield possession and utilise the pace and creativity of their wide players. The defensive quartet remained disciplined, with Masuku and Shabangu tasked with containing the Young Movers’ wide threats, while the central defenders Mangaliso Dlamini and Mkhatshwa focused on aerial duels and maintaining a compact shape.

Mhawu started the game with clear intentions to win the match by dominating possession and creating chances which were missed by several attacking players. The deadlock was broken in the 29th minute by the in form Sibotho Sithole after the defence splitting pass from Mthobisi Dlamini. The score was 1-0 at the break.

The second half saw a very strong start from Young Movers who swiftly responded with resilience, managing to find an equaliser that ensured the points were shared by the final whistle.

Throughout the match, Mhawu United’s midfield duo of Simelane and the attacking wingers Sikhondze and Mthobisi Dlamini worked tirelessly to link defence and attack, while the full-backs Masuku and Shabangu balanced their defensive duties with occasional forward runs. The central defenders maintained composure under pressure, though the visitors’ goal highlighted moments where defensive lapses occurred.

Sandziso Dlamini in goal was called upon to make several important saves, contributing to the team’s ability to remain in contention. The referee’s performance was rated as average, with no major controversies affecting the flow of the game.

Ultimately, the match concluded with a 1-1 draw, a fair reflection of the evenly matched contest witnessed at Ntjanini Sports Ground. Sibotho Sithole’s efforts earned him the player of the match accolade, recognising his influence and goal-scoring contribution for Mhawu United FC.